What is the formula to calculate a patient’s BMI (Body Mass Index)?

The formula to calculate a patient’s Body Mass Index (BMI) is accurately represented by the expression that states: BMI equals weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. This calculation provides a straightforward way to assess whether a person has a healthy body weight relative to their height.

Using this method, the weight is measured in kilograms, and the height is measured in meters, which are standard units in the metric system. Squaring the height is essential because BMI is a ratio that compares weight to the area of height—a concept rooted in physics, where mass is compared to volume.

This formula is helpful in clinical settings to categorize individuals into different weight status categories, such as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese, which in turn can guide treatment and health recommendations.

The other choices either misrepresent the units used, apply incorrect operations, or simply do not align with the standardized method of calculating BMI, which emphasizes the need for using specific measurements to ensure accuracy in categorizing individuals based on body weight and height.