Which of the following is a limitation of using BMI as a health measure?

The chosen answer highlights a significant limitation of using Body Mass Index (BMI) as a health measure. Although BMI effectively uses height and weight to provide a quick estimate of a person's body composition, it fails to differentiate between muscle mass and body fat. This is an important consideration because individuals with high muscle mass, such as athletes, may be classified as overweight or obese by BMI standards, even though they possess a low body fat percentage and a healthy overall composition.

The other options do not accurately relate to limitations of BMI. For instance, BMI does not account for variations in age and gender, which can influence body composition and health risks. Additionally, while BMI does use height and weight as factors to calculate a numeric value, this alone does not reflect a comprehensive assessment of health. Lastly, the use of height and weight as factors is not a limitation in itself but rather a fundamental aspect of how BMI is calculated. The inability to distinguish between different types of body mass is a crucial reason why health professionals often seek more nuanced ways of assessing body composition.