Calculating your ideal body weight (IBW) can help you gain some insight into your possible risk for weight-related health conditions. However, this tool doesn’t always provide an accurate assessment.

This article was reviewed by Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA. We’ll start at the very beginning: Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of someone’s weight compared to their height whereas body fat ...

Modeling isn’t just a matter of strutting your stuff on the catwalk—it also means that you need mathematical precision when it comes to taking your body measurements. Having precise measurements is ...

When someone describes themselves as “big-boned,” they’re usually trying to explain why they appear larger even when eating ...

A body composition scale analyzes how electrical signals flow through your body, estimating how much of your total weight is fat-free mass compared to body fat. You may not always get every answer you ...

It’s a dirty word for some: BMI. Short for body mass Index, BMI is nothing more than a crude measurement of a person’s body fat based on height and weight. It was invented for researchers to use on ...

Caroline Roberts writes articles and notifications for CNET. She studies English at Cal Poly, and loves philosophy, Karl the Fog and a strong cup of black coffee. We break down the history behind BMI ...