1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight to assess body fatness. It's widely used as a screening tool to identify possible weight problems in adults.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

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

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a quick screening method for weight categories that may lead to health problems. It helps identify potential weight issues in adults where measuring body fat directly isn't practical.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For pounds and inches, convert first (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 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 athletes and underestimate it in older people who have lost muscle mass.

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

Q4: Can children use this calculator?
A: Children need age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles, not this adult calculator.

Q5: What's better than BMI for measuring health?
A: Waist circumference, body fat percentage, and other measurements combined give a fuller picture than BMI alone.