1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight. The formula is BMI = kg/m² where kg is a person's weight in kilograms and m² is their height in meters squared. It provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

• \( W \) — Weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( H \) — Height in meters (m)

Explanation: BMI compares your weight to your height to estimate body fat. Higher values indicate higher body fat.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI screening helps identify potential weight problems in adults. However, it's not diagnostic of body fatness or health as it doesn't directly measure body fat.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height in centimeters, divide by 100 (e.g., 175 cm = 1.75 m).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy BMI range?
A: For adults: Underweight (<18.5), Normal (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obesity (≥30).

Q2: Is BMI different for women and men?
A: The calculation is the same, but women typically have higher body fat percentages at the same BMI.

Q3: What are BMI limitations?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and underestimate it in older people with lost muscle mass.

Q4: Is BMI accurate during pregnancy?
A: No, BMI calculations are not valid during pregnancy as weight gain is expected and necessary.

Q5: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles rather than adult categories.