1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, 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 standard 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 objectively with their patients.

3. Importance of BMI

Details: BMI is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of screening for weight categories that may lead to health problems. It is used to identify possible weight problems in adults.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For pounds and inches, first convert to metric units (1 kg = 2.2 lbs, 1 m = 39.37 inches).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and underestimate it in older people who have lost muscle mass.

Q3: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific percentiles rather than the adult categories.

Q4: What's a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy.

Q5: Does BMI measure body fat?
A: BMI correlates with body fat but doesn't directly measure it. Other methods like skinfold measurements may be more accurate.