1. What is BMI?

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity in adults. It is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The BMI provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness, allowing health professionals to discuss weight problems more objectively with their patients.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is an important screening tool for weight categories that may lead to health problems. For Australian women, BMI categories are particularly relevant as they help assess risk for conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems, and certain cancers.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height, you can convert from cm to m by dividing by 100 (e.g., 165 cm = 1.65 m). All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the BMI categories for Australian women?
A: Underweight (<18.5), Normal weight (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obese (≥30).

Q2: Are there limitations to BMI?
A: BMI doesn't directly measure body fat and doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, overall body composition, or racial and sex differences.

Q3: Is BMI different for women and men?
A: The calculation is the same, but women generally have more body fat than men at the same BMI.

Q4: What is a healthy BMI range for Australian women?
A: For most women, 18.5-24.9 is considered healthy, though individual circumstances may vary.

Q5: Should pregnant women use BMI?
A: BMI calculations during pregnancy aren't meaningful. Pre-pregnancy BMI is used to guide weight gain recommendations.