Why is BMI considered an inaccurate method for body composition assessment?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is considered an inaccurate method for assessing body composition primarily because it ignores muscle mass and fat distribution. BMI is calculated using only a person's height and weight, which means it does not differentiate between weight from fat and weight from lean mass, such as muscles and bones. As a result, an individual with a high muscle mass may be classified as overweight or obese based solely on their BMI, despite having a healthy body composition and low body fat percentage. Furthermore, BMI does not provide any insight into where fat is distributed in the body, which is a critical factor in assessing health risks associated with obesity. Therefore, while BMI can serve as a quick screening tool for identifying potential weight categories, it falls short in accurately representing an individual's overall body composition and health status.