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 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 BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula provides a simple numeric measure that correlates with body fatness for most people.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI provides a useful population-level measure of overweight and obesity. It helps assess health risks associated with weight categories and can indicate whether further assessment is needed.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For accurate results, measure height without shoes and weight with minimal clothing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the standard BMI categories?
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 muscular individuals and underestimate it in older people who have lost muscle mass.

Q3: Should BMI be interpreted differently for different ethnicities?
A: Some ethnic groups may have different associations between BMI and health risks. For example, Asian populations may have higher health risks at lower BMIs.

Q4: Can BMI be used for children?
A: BMI is interpreted differently for children and teens, using age- and sex-specific percentiles rather than fixed categories.

Q5: What are alternatives to BMI?
A: Waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and body fat percentage measurements may provide additional information about health risks.