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 objectively with their patients.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Weight in pounds (lb)
• \( height \) — Height in inches (in)
• 703 — Conversion factor to get BMI in kg/m² units

Explanation: The equation calculates body mass divided by the square of body height, adjusted with a conversion factor when using pounds and inches.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a simple, inexpensive screening tool for weight categories that may lead to health problems. It helps identify potential weight problems in adults.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in pounds, height in inches, and optionally age. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0, age between 0-120 if provided).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy BMI range?
A: For adults, 18.5-24.9 is considered normal weight. Below 18.5 is underweight, 25-29.9 is overweight, and 30+ is obese.

Q2: Does BMI work the same for women and men?
A: The same BMI ranges apply to both, though women naturally have more body fat than men at the same BMI.

Q3: How does age affect BMI interpretation?
A: Older adults may have a slightly higher BMI (up to 27) that's still healthy due to natural body composition changes.

Q4: What are limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so muscular individuals may be classified as overweight.

Q5: Should athletes use BMI?
A: Athletes with high muscle mass may need additional measurements like body fat percentage for accurate assessment.