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. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Body weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( height \) — Height in meters (m)

Explanation: BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a simple, inexpensive screening method for weight category—underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity. It can help identify potential weight problems in adults.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). For women, BMI interpretation is the same as for men, though body composition differences exist.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy BMI for women?
A: For adults 20 years and older, BMI is interpreted the same way for both sexes: underweight (<18.5), normal weight (18.5-24.9), overweight (25-29.9), and obese (≥30).

Q2: Are there limitations to BMI for women?
A: Yes. BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so muscular women may have high BMI without excess fat. It also doesn't account for fat distribution, which affects health risks.

Q3: Should pregnant women use BMI?
A: BMI calculations should use pre-pregnancy weight. Weight gain recommendations during pregnancy are based on pre-pregnancy BMI.

Q4: How accurate is BMI for older women?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in older women who have lost muscle mass. Waist circumference may be a better indicator of health risk.

Q5: Does BMI differ for different ethnicities?
A: Some ethnic groups may have different health risks at the same BMI. For example, Asian women may have higher health risks at lower BMI values.