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 objectively with their patients.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the BMI formula:

Where:

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

For calorie calculation, it uses the Mifflin-St Jeor Equation for BMR and activity multipliers to estimate TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure), then adjusts based on your weight loss goal.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is widely used as a screening tool to identify possible weight problems in adults. While it doesn't measure body fat directly, research has shown that BMI correlates to direct measures of body fat.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, select your activity level and weight loss goal. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy BMI range?
A: For adults, 18.5-24.9 is considered normal weight, 25-29.9 overweight, and 30+ obese.

Q2: Why doesn't BMI work for athletes?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes with high muscle mass since muscle weighs more than fat.

Q3: How accurate is the calorie calculation?
A: It provides a good estimate but individual variations in metabolism mean actual needs may differ by ±200 calories.

Q4: Is BMI different for children?
A: Yes, children's BMI is age and sex-specific and interpreted using percentile charts.

Q5: How often should I recalculate my calorie needs?
A: Recalculate every 5-10 kg of weight loss as your energy needs will decrease with lower body weight.