1. What is BMI?

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women. 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 is BMI Calculated?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Body weight in kilograms
• \( height \) — Height in meters

BMI Categories:

• Underweight: BMI < 18.5
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5-24.9
• Overweight: BMI 25-29.9
• Obese: BMI ≥ 30

3. Importance of BMI and Waist Measurement

Details: While BMI is a useful screening tool, waist circumference provides additional information about abdominal fat, which is particularly harmful to health. The combination gives better health risk assessment than BMI alone.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kg, height in meters, and optionally waist circumference in cm. For most accurate results, measure weight in the morning after bathroom use and before eating.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why include waist measurement?
A: Waist measurement helps identify abdominal obesity, which is a greater health risk than fat stored elsewhere.

Q2: What are healthy waist measurements?
A: For men, <94 cm (normal), 94-102 cm (increased risk), ≥102 cm (high risk). For women, <80 cm (normal), 80-88 cm (increased risk), ≥88 cm (high risk).

Q3: Are there limitations to BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so athletes may have high BMI without excess fat. It may also underestimate fat in older people.

Q4: How often should I check my BMI?
A: For most adults, checking every 3-6 months is sufficient unless you're actively trying to lose or gain weight.

Q5: Is BMI applicable to children?
A: This calculator is for adults. Children's BMI is interpreted differently using age- and sex-specific percentiles.