1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight. It's a screening tool that may indicate whether a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula divides weight by the square of height to provide 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. It's particularly important in diabetes management as obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

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.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the BMI categories?
A: Underweight (<18.5), Normal weight (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obese (≥30).

Q2: Why is BMI important for diabetes?
A: Higher BMI increases insulin resistance and risk of type 2 diabetes. Weight management is key in diabetes prevention and control.

Q3: Are there limitations to BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat. Athletes may have high BMI without excess fat, while older adults may have normal BMI but low muscle mass.

Q4: How does BMI relate to A1C?
A: Higher BMI often correlates with higher A1C levels, indicating poorer long-term blood glucose control.

Q5: What's a healthy BMI for diabetes prevention?
A: Maintaining BMI between 18.5-24.9 is recommended, though individual targets may vary based on factors like age and ethnicity.