1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight to assess weight status. It's widely used in Australia and globally as a screening tool for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

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 formula divides weight by the square of height to provide a standardized measure of body mass relative to height.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI helps identify potential weight problems in adults. In Australia, it's used alongside other measurements to assess health risks associated with being underweight, overweight or obese.

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., 175cm = 1.75m).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may not accurately reflect body fat in athletes (high muscle mass) or elderly (who may have lost muscle mass).

Q3: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific BMI percentile charts.

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

Q5: Does BMI measure body fat?
A: No, BMI is a weight-to-height ratio. Other measurements like waist circumference provide additional information.