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. BMI 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 height in meters squared.

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 the body fatness or health of an individual.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

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).

Q2: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and underestimate it in older people who have lost muscle mass.

Q3: What are healthy BMI ranges?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy. However, optimal BMI may vary by age and ethnicity.

Q4: Should children use this calculator?
A: Children's BMI is interpreted differently using age and sex-specific percentile charts rather than adult categories.

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