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 a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of their 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: The formula calculates body mass per unit of height squared, providing a standardized measure of body composition.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness, allowing health professionals to discuss weight problems objectively with their patients. It is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

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).

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 accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may not accurately reflect body fat in athletes (who may have high muscle mass), the elderly, or certain ethnic groups.

Q3: What is a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy. However, optimal BMI may vary by age and ethnicity.

Q4: Can BMI be used for children?
A: Children's BMI is interpreted differently using age and sex-specific percentile charts, not the adult categories.

Q5: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, doesn't account for fat distribution, and may not be accurate for very tall or short individuals.