New research points to a better way to measure obesity than body mass index. Body mass index was first developed in 1832 and has been the standard way to estimate a person’s body fat since the 1980s.

Body mass index has long been a standard, but controversial, measurement of weight and health. By Dani Blum The American Medical Association voted to adopt a new policy on Tuesday encouraging doctors ...

Body mass index has for decades been used as a shorthand for assessing body fat and weight-related health risks. But for about just as long, critics have noted the simple calculation is laden with ...