What is the equation for calculating BMI?

The equation for calculating Body Mass Index (BMI) is expressed as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. This formula is crucial because it relates an individual's weight to their height, providing a useful index for assessing whether someone has a healthy body weight for a given height.

Using weight in kilograms ensures that the measurement is standardized, while squaring the height accounts for the relationship between body mass and height in a way that reflects the proportional increase in mass relative to the increase in height. This squared height is essential; without it, the BMI would not accurately reflect someone's body composition, as it does not simply scale linearly with height.

Thus, the correct option reflects the scientifically accepted method for calculating BMI, which is what health professionals use to categorize individuals into different weight status categories (underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obese). This understanding is important for assessing health risks associated with body weight.