1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. BMI is an inexpensive and easy screening method for weight category—underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity.

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 calculates body mass per unit of height squared, providing a standardized measure of body composition.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a screening tool that may indicate whether a person is underweight, at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese. However, BMI doesn't measure body fat directly.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For pounds and inches, first convert to metric units (1 kg = 2.2 lbs, 1 m = 39.37 inches).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the BMI categories for adults?
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 overestimate body fat in athletes and underestimate it in older persons who have lost muscle mass.

Q3: What are the health risks of high BMI?
A: Higher BMI is associated with increased risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

Q4: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles.

Q5: What's a healthy BMI for older adults?
A: Some studies suggest BMI 25-27 may be optimal for older adults rather than the standard 18.5-24.9.