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Body Mass Index MeSH Descriptor Data 2026


MeSH Heading
Body Mass Index
Tree Number(s)
E01.370.600.115.100.125
E05.041.124.125
G07.100.100.125
N06.850.505.200.100.175
Unique ID
D015992
RDF Unique Identifier
http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D015992
Scope Note
An indicator of body density as determined by the relationship of BODY WEIGHT to BODY HEIGHT. BMI=weight (kg)/height squared (m2). BMI correlates with body fat (ADIPOSE TISSUE). Their relationship varies with age and gender. For adults, BMI falls into these categories: below 18.5 (underweight); 18.5-24.9 (normal); 25.0-29.9 (overweight); 30.0 and above (obese). (National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Entry Term(s)
Quetelet Index
Quetelet's Index
Previous Indexing
Body Weight (1966-1989)
Public MeSH Note
90
History Note
90
Date Introduced
1990/01/01
Last Updated
2009/07/06

No Qualifiers
Body Mass Index Preferred
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