1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. The CDC considers BMI a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people, though it has limitations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

3. BMI Categories for Women

CDC Classification:

• Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9
• Overweight: BMI 25 to 29.9
• Obese: BMI 30 or greater

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height in feet/inches, first convert to meters (1 foot = 0.3048m, 1 inch = 0.0254m).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is BMI different for women and men?
A: The same BMI values apply to both genders, but women typically have higher body fat percentages at the same BMI.

Q2: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so muscular individuals may be misclassified. It also doesn't account for fat distribution.

Q3: Is BMI accurate for pregnant women?
A: No, BMI should not be calculated during pregnancy as weight gain is expected and necessary.

Q4: What's a healthy BMI range for adult women?
A: The CDC recommends maintaining a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 for optimal health.

Q5: Should older women use the same BMI ranges?
A: Some experts suggest slightly higher BMI ranges may be appropriate for women over 65, as very low BMI can indicate frailty.