1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight. The formula is BMI = kg/m² where kg is a person's weight in kilograms and m² is their height in meters squared. It provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people.

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)

Explanation: BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems but it is not diagnostic of body fatness or health. It's a simple, inexpensive method of classifying underweight, overweight and obesity.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). For females, BMI interpretation is the same as for the general population.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy BMI range for females?
A: The same as for the general population: 18.5-24.9 kg/m² is considered normal weight.

Q2: How accurate is BMI for females?
A: BMI is a useful screening tool but has limitations as it doesn't directly measure body fat. Athletic women may have higher BMI due to muscle mass.

Q3: Should BMI be interpreted differently for females?
A: While the same ranges apply, women typically have more body fat than men at the same BMI.

Q4: What are the BMI categories?
A: Underweight (<18.5), Normal weight (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obese (≥30).

Q5: Are there better alternatives to BMI?
A: For more precise body composition analysis, methods like skinfold thickness measurements, DEXA scans, or underwater weighing may be used.