Body volume index

Body Volume Index (BVI) has recently been proposed as an alternative to Body Mass Index (BMI).

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Whereas BMI is based on measurement of total mass, irrespective of the location of the mass, BVI looks at the relationship between mass and volume distribution (i.e. where the body mass is located).

BVI as an application for 3D body scanners

Body Volume Index (BVI) is an application that can be used on any 3D body scanner data, whether the scanning hardware uses visible light optical information or otherwise.

Whereas the BMI of a person is measured manually by total weight and height, BVI is calculated by using a 3D body-surface scanner. The body surface scanner determines the three-dimensional outline of a person's exterior surface, so that computation can be used to calculate the part volume and the part body composition of that person. BVI make an inference as to the body's distribution of fat and weight using complex and detailed data.

Most 3D scanners suitable for BVI require that the subject is scanned for a series of images under varying lighting conditions (various projected patterns), for a system to determine body shape and weight distribution from the data.