Weight loss: Choosing a diet that's right for you

BMI, or Body Mass Index, is a measure used to assess whether a person has a healthy weight for their height. It’s calculated using the following formula:

$$BMI = \frac{\text{weight in kilograms}}{\text{height in meters}^2}$$

Alternatively, if you use pounds and inches, the formula becomes:

$$BMI = \frac{\text{weight in pounds}}{\text{height in inches}^2} \times 703$$

Based on BMI values, people are typically categorized as follows:

• Underweight: BMI less than 18.5

• Normal weight: BMI from 18.5 to 24.9

• Overweight: BMI from 25 to 29.9

• Obese: BMI of 30 or higher