BMI, waist-to-hip ratio and health data

What is BMI?

Body mass index, a measure calculated from body mass and height.

What is the BMI formula?

BMI = mass in kg ÷ (height in metres)².

How do you calculate BMI for a person with a mass of 70 kg and a height of 1.75 m?

BMI = 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9 kg/m².

What is waist-to-hip ratio?

A measure calculated by dividing waist circumference by hip circumference.

How do you calculate waist-to-hip ratio?

Waist-to-hip ratio = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference, using the same units.

What does a high waist-to-hip ratio suggest?

It may indicate greater abdominal fat and an increased risk of certain health problems.

What is one limitation of BMI?

It does not distinguish between fat mass and muscle mass.

Why should BMI be interpreted carefully in children?

Growth and development affect healthy BMI ranges, so age- and sex-specific charts are needed.

How can health data be presented?

In tables, bar charts, line graphs or scatter graphs, depending on the data and the purpose.

How can you interpret a graph showing smoking rates and cardiovascular disease?

Identify trends and associations, but remember that correlation alone does not prove causation.