What is BMI?

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I feel like in this world we hear a lot about BMI, and being "overweight" or "obese"...but what does that really mean?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Body Mass Index (BMI): a number calculated from a person's height and weight.  BMI is a reliable indicator of a body's fatness for most people.  

• BMI does not measure body fat directly but studies have shown that it correlates very well with tests that do measure body fat directly.
• The CDC uses BMI as an indicator because it is one of the best and easiest ways to calculate overweight and obesity.

BMI Categories for Adults Age 20 Years or Older:

BMI	Weight Status
Below 18.5	Underweight
18.5 – 24.9	Normal
25.0 – 29.9	Overweight
30.0 and Above	Obese

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html

Here is the link to the CDC BMI Calculator if you are curious about what your BMI is and where you stand as far as weight status