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. For women, BMI provides a useful measure that correlates with body fat percentage.

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 a person's weight by the square of their height to provide a standardized measure of body size.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is an important screening tool for weight categories that may lead to health problems. For women, it helps assess risks for conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For accuracy, measure height without shoes and weight with minimal clothing. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Are BMI categories different for women?
A: The same BMI categories apply to both men and women, though women typically have higher body fat percentages at the same BMI.

Q2: What is a healthy BMI range for women?
A: Health Canada considers 18.5-24.9 kg/m² as the healthy weight range for adult women.

Q3: Does BMI account for muscle mass?
A: No, BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat. Athletic women with high muscle mass may have high BMI without excess fat.

Q4: Is BMI accurate for all women?
A: BMI may be less accurate for very tall or short women, pregnant women, and certain ethnic groups.

Q5: What other measurements complement BMI?
A: Waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio provide additional information about fat distribution in women.