1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (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 calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.

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)

Interpretation: The result is classified according to standard categories:

• Underweight: BMI < 18.5 kg/m²
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²
• Overweight: BMI 25-29.9 kg/m²
• Obese: BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²

3. Importance of BMI for Diabetes

Details: BMI is an important risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Higher BMI values are associated with increased insulin resistance and higher risk of developing diabetes. In Canada, maintaining a healthy BMI is particularly important for diabetes prevention and management.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For accurate results, measure weight without heavy clothing and height without shoes. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is BMI important for diabetes?
A: Higher BMI increases diabetes risk by promoting insulin resistance. Maintaining healthy BMI reduces diabetes risk and improves blood sugar control.

Q2: Are there different BMI categories for different ethnic groups?
A: Yes, some ethnic groups (like South Asians) may have higher diabetes risk at lower BMI thresholds.

Q3: What's a healthy BMI for diabetes prevention?
A: For most Canadians, maintaining BMI between 18.5-24.9 kg/m² is ideal for diabetes prevention.

Q4: Does BMI account for muscle mass?
A: No, BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat. Athletes may have high BMI without excess fat.

Q5: Should BMI be the only measure used?
A: No, waist circumference and other measures should also be considered for complete assessment.