Checking your Body Mass Index (BMI) is a quick and easy way to see if your weight is in a healthy range for your height. It can also help determine whether you're considered overweight and give you an idea of how much weight you may want to lose.

However, BMI is only a general guide and doesn’t account for factors like muscle mass, body fat, bone density, or fluid levels. For instance, athletes often have higher BMIs due to increased muscle, not excess fat. Older adults might show a lower BMI even if they have more body fat, as they may have lost muscle over time. Additionally, BMI may not accurately reflect health risks in all ethnic groups.

To get a more complete view of your health, you can also look at other indicators like waist circumference or waist-to-hip ratio. These are especially useful since carrying extra weight around your midsection can increase the risk of certain health problems.