1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. It's a simple screening tool that may indicate whether a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese according to NIH guidelines.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Interpretation: The NIH classifies BMI results as:

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

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: While not a direct measure of body fat, BMI correlates with more direct measures and provides a simple numeric measure that can help identify potential weight problems in adults.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For pounds and inches, convert first (1 kg = 2.2 lbs, 1 m = 39.37 inches).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes/muscular individuals and underestimate it in older persons who have lost muscle mass.

Q2: What are the health risks of high BMI?
A: Higher BMI is associated with increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

Q3: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children need age- and sex-specific percentiles rather than adult categories.

Q4: What's a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, 18.5-24.9 is considered healthy, though optimal may vary by individual.

Q5: What other measures complement BMI?
A: Waist circumference, body fat percentage, and other measurements provide additional information.