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 BMI cut-off points are lower than international standards due to higher 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
• \( height \) — Height in meters

Asian-specific categories:

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

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is an important screening tool for weight categories that may lead to health problems. For Asian men, the risks of diabetes and cardiovascular disease begin at lower BMI levels compared to Caucasians.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height, you can convert from cm to m by dividing by 100 (e.g., 175 cm = 1.75 m).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are BMI categories different for Asians?
A: Asians have higher body fat percentage at lower BMI levels and higher risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease at lower BMI compared to Caucasians.

Q2: What are limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass, so muscular individuals may be misclassified. It also doesn't account for fat distribution.

Q3: Is BMI accurate for elderly Asian men?
A: BMI may be less accurate in elderly due to changes in body composition. Waist circumference may provide additional useful information.

Q4: What is a healthy BMI range for Asian men?
A: The ideal range is typically 18.5-22.9 kg/m², though individual factors should be considered.

Q5: Should athletes use this BMI calculator?
A: Athletes with high muscle mass may get misleading results. Body fat percentage measurements may be more appropriate.