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 more objectively with their patients.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Weight in pounds (lbs)
• \( height \) — Height in inches (in)
• \( 703 \) — Conversion factor (kg/m² to lbs/in²)

Explanation: The BMI calculation divides a person's weight by the square of their height to categorize them into underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a simple, inexpensive screening tool for weight categories that may lead to health problems. It's used to identify possible weight problems in adults, though it doesn't diagnose body fatness or health directly.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your weight in pounds and height in inches. For most accurate results, measure your height without shoes and weight with minimal clothing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the BMI categories?
A: Underweight (BMI < 18.5), Normal weight (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), and Obese (30 or higher).

Q2: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and those with muscular build, and underestimate it in older persons who have lost muscle mass.

Q3: What's a healthy BMI?
A: For most adults, a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy. However, individual health depends on many factors beyond BMI.

Q4: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need BMI-for-age percentiles that account for growth patterns and sex differences.

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