Body mass index (BMI) is a simple numerical measure of relative body weight, calculated as a person's mass in kilograms divided by the square of their height in metres (kg/m2), used to classify underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity at the population level. Because it requires only height and weight, B…
Body mass index (BMI) is a simple numerical measure of relative body weight, calculated as a person's mass in kilograms divided by the square of their height in metres (kg/m2), used to classify underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity at the population level. Because it requires only height and weight, BMI is widely applied in clinical and epidemiological practice as an inexpensive proxy for adiposity, though it does not directly measure body fat and cannot distinguish fat mass from lean muscle. In the context of Hypertension and Cardiology, BMI is studied as a modifiable risk indicator linked to elevated blood pressure, arterial changes such as carotid intima-media thickening, atrial fibrillation, and broader cardiovascular risk. Research published in this area examines the validity and limitations of the index itself, including whether it accurately reflects body composition in highly muscular individuals and how alternative anthropometric inputs, such as arm span in place of standing height, can be used when height is difficult to measure in older adults. Related work considers BMI alongside diet quality, insulin sensitivity in obesity, hydration status, physical activity, and the prevalence and control of hypertension across age groups, reflecting the index's role as one component within wider cardiometabolic assessment rather than a standalone diagnostic.
12 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 12 articles above have been cited 65 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
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