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. For Asian populations, the classification thresholds are different from standard BMI categories due to differences in body composition and health risks at lower BMI levels.

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)

Asian BMI Classification:

• Underweight: BMI < 18.5 kg/m²
• Normal weight: 18.5 ≤ BMI < 23 kg/m²
• Overweight: 23 ≤ BMI < 27.5 kg/m²
• Obese: BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m²

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 more objectively with their patients. For Asian populations, the health risks associated with obesity occur at lower BMI levels than in Caucasian populations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height, you can convert from centimeters by dividing by 100 (e.g., 170 cm = 1.70 m). All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are BMI categories different for Asians?
A: Asian populations tend to have higher body fat percentages at lower BMIs and develop obesity-related diseases at lower BMI levels compared to Caucasians.

Q2: Is BMI accurate for athletes?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes with high muscle mass and underestimate it in older people who have lost muscle mass.

Q3: What is a healthy BMI range for Asians?
A: For Asians, a BMI between 18.5 and 23 kg/m² is generally considered healthy, though individual factors should be considered.

Q4: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, BMI interpretation for children and teens is different and requires age- and sex-specific percentiles.

Q5: What are alternatives to BMI?
A: Waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and body fat percentage measurements may provide additional information about health risks.