Medically reviewed by Amelia MacIntyre, DO The body mass index (BMI) chart helps determine obesity levels in both women and men. Healthcare providers also use it to determine whether their patients ...

BMI, or body mass index, is an outdated measurement that fails to properly identify health risks, according to a new study.

The main diagnostic test for obesity — the body mass index — accounts for only height and weight, leaving out a slew of factors that influence body fat and health.

A typical BMI chart. IIFYB In the 1970s, researcher Ancel Keys conducted a study with more than 7,500 participants, trying to find the most effective way to measure body fat.

Medically speaking, doctors use a term you may already be familiar with: BMI, or body mass index. Familiarity with BMI, and your child’s BMI, can help you identify whether your child has obesity.

For decades, the body mass index (BMI) has been used for this purpose, with calculations based on height and weight. Despite its convenience, BMI has faced increasing criticism.

Despite widespread criticism, BMI continues to be the go-to for measuring some health risks. Now the "body roundness index" is gaining traction as a viable alternative. What's stopping it being used?