Are you in Canada? Click here to proceed to the HK Canada website.

For all other locations, click here to continue to the HK US website.

Human Kinetics Logo

Purchase Courses or Access Digital Products

If you are looking to purchase online videos, online courses or to access previously purchased digital products please press continue.


Mare Nostrum Logo

Purchase Print Products or eBooks

Human Kinetics print books and eBooks are now distributed by Mare Nostrum, throughout the UK, Europe, Africa and Middle East, delivered to you from their warehouse. Please visit our new UK website to purchase Human Kinetics printed or eBooks.

Feedback IconFeedback

1 GENERAL: Is the BMI (body mass index) a good indicator of body composition and body fatness?

The body mass index (BMI) uses a formula that includes height and weight. It is often used in research because it requires measurements that are easy to get (height and weight). Because it is easy to measure and does not require a lot of equipment, BMI can be easily assessed for large numbers of people. Still, the BMI has its limitations as a method of assessing body composition and body fatness. Both the BMI and height–weight charts have the problem of classifying some muscular people as overweight when they really are not. This is because people who have a lot of muscle can be high in weight without having too much body fat. This is a good reason for making many assessments for body composition, including measurements such as skinfolds as shown in the Fitness for Life textbooks. These measurements are a more accurate indicator of body fatness than BMI. To review information on BMI and other measurements, refer to lesson 8.1 of the Fitness for Life: Middle School, Second Edition, textbook and lesson 14.1 of the Fitness for Life, Seventh Edition, high school textbook.