1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a value derived from the mass and height of a person. It provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness, allowing health professionals to discuss weight problems more objectively with their patients.

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 divides a person's weight by the square of their height to categorize them into weight classes.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a simple screening tool for weight categories that may lead to health problems. It's used to identify possible weight problems in adults, though it doesn't diagnose body fatness or health directly.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, and age in years. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0, age between 1-120).

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 different for women?
A: The same BMI ranges apply to both men and women, though women naturally have more body fat than men at the same BMI.

Q3: How does age affect BMI?
A: BMI interpretation may vary slightly with age, as body composition changes. Older adults may have a higher BMI due to reduced muscle mass.

Q4: What are limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so athletes may be classified as overweight despite having low body fat.

Q5: Should BMI be used alone?
A: No, BMI should be used alongside other measurements like waist circumference and overall health assessment.