What is the formula for calculating BMI?

The formula for calculating Body Mass Index (BMI) is based on a simple mathematical relationship that correlates weight and height. To determine BMI, one must take a person's weight in kilograms and divide it by the square of their height in meters. This relationship helps to assess whether an individual has a healthy body weight for a given height.

Using weight in kilograms allows the calculation to be standardized and universally applicable, as the metric system is used globally for many scientific assessments. The squaring of height is essential because BMI is a measure of density, and this technique effectively normalizes differences in people’s body sizes, thus providing a more accurate assessment of body composition rather than just weight alone.

In contrast, the other options either incorrectly express the relationship (such as using height in undesired units or omitting necessary mathematical operations) or do not reflect the proper standardized method of calculating BMI.