How is BMI calculated?

• A. Weight in pounds divided by height in inches squared
• B. Weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared
• C. Height in centimeters divided by weight in kilograms
• D. Weight in kilograms divided by height in centimeters squared

Answer: (B)

BMI is a measure that compares a person’s weight to their height using metric units. The standard calculation uses weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters, giving BMI in kg/m^2. This arrangement directly reflects how body mass relates to height in a way that aligns with clinical reference ranges. For example, someone weighing 70 kg and standing 1.75 m tall would have a BMI of 70 divided by (1.75 squared), which is about 22.9. If you were using pounds and inches, you’d need a specific conversion factor (BMI = weight in pounds / (height in inches)^2 × 703) to get the same value. The other options mix units or invert the variables, so they don’t produce the standard BMI calculation.