1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. 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:

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

Explanation: The formula divides your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared. This provides a standardized measure of body weight relative to height.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems but it is not diagnostic of body fatness or health. Healthcare professionals use BMI as one tool among many to assess health risks.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your 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 (BMI < 18.5), Normal weight (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), and Obese (≥30).

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

Q3: What's a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy, but individual factors should be considered.

Q4: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific percentiles rather than these adult categories.

Q5: What's better than BMI for measuring health?
A: Waist circumference, body fat percentage, and other measurements combined with clinical assessment provide a fuller picture.