1. What Is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight. The formula is BMI = kg/m² where kg is a person's weight in kilograms and m² is their height in meters squared.

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: BMI provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness, allowing health professionals to discuss weight problems more objectively with their patients.

3. Importance Of BMI Calculation

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

4. Using The Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For example, 175 cm should be entered as 1.75. 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), Obesity (≥30).

Q2: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and underestimate it in older people who have lost muscle mass.

Q3: How often should I check my BMI?
A: For most adults, checking once a year is sufficient unless you're actively trying to lose or gain weight.

Q4: Should children use the same BMI categories?
A: No, children's BMI is age and sex-specific and should be plotted on growth charts.

Q5: What's a better alternative to BMI?
A: For individuals, body fat percentage measurements (via skinfold calipers, DEXA scans, etc.) provide more accurate assessment.