Commentary: Origins and evolution of body mass index (BMI): continuing saga

We reflect upon Ancel Keys’ classic article, reprinted here, which dealt with a leitmotif of his long career: body mass, its composition, measurement, function and meaning for health, disease and survival. This preoccupation was reflected in some 50 of Keys’ 500-odd publications. Along this historical vein, our colleague, Warren Winkelstein, in a note just before his death, reminded us that the mid-19th century Belgian polymath, Adolphe...