1. What is BMI?

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. It's a quick tool to assess whether someone is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 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 quantify tissue mass.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI provides a simple numeric measure that helps healthcare professionals track weight status and identify potential weight problems in adults.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For pounds and inches, first convert (1 kg = 2.2 lbs, 1 m = 39.37 inches). All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the 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 athletes and underestimate it in older people with lost muscle mass.

Q3: What's a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy.

Q4: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children need age- and sex-specific percentiles rather than adult categories.

Q5: What's better than BMI?
A: Waist circumference and body fat percentage provide more detailed information about health risks.