1. What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

BMI is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity in adults. It is defined as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters (kg/m²).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the BMI formula:

Where:

• Weight — Body weight in kilograms (kg)
• Height — Height in meters (m)

Explanation: BMI provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness, allowing health professionals to discuss weight problems more objectively with their patients.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is an inexpensive and easy screening method for weight category—underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity. In military contexts, BMI standards help maintain physical readiness and health standards.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height, you can convert from cm to m by dividing by 100 (e.g., 175 cm = 1.75 m). All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the standard BMI categories?
A: Underweight (BMI < 18.5), Normal weight (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), and Obese (≥30).

Q2: Is BMI different for men and women?
A: The BMI calculation is the same for both sexes, but the interpretation may differ slightly as women tend to have more body fat than men at the same BMI.

Q3: What are the military BMI standards?
A: Military services typically require BMI between 18.5 and 27.5, with some variations between branches and special operations units.

Q4: What are limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so very muscular individuals may have a high BMI without excess fat. It also doesn't account for fat distribution.

Q5: Are there better measures than BMI?
A: For individuals, waist circumference or body fat percentage may be better indicators of health risk, but BMI remains useful for population-level assessments.