1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity in adults. It provides a useful population-level measure of weight categories that may lead to health problems.

2. How BMI is Calculated

The BMI calculation formula is:

Where:

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

Explanation: BMI correlates fairly well with body fat in most people, though it doesn't directly measure body fat.

3. BMI Categories

Details: The World Health Organization defines BMI categories as:

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

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your weight in kilograms and height in meters. For weight loss tracking, measure at consistent times (e.g., morning before eating).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: What is a healthy BMI for women?
A: For most adult women, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy.

Q3: How much weight should I lose to improve my BMI?
A: Even 5-10% weight loss can significantly improve health markers if you're overweight or obese.

Q4: Should pregnant women use BMI?
A: BMI categories don't apply during pregnancy - consult your healthcare provider about healthy weight gain.

Q5: What's better than BMI for measuring health?
A: Waist circumference and body fat percentage provide additional useful information about health risks.