1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight to assess body fatness. It provides a reliable indicator of body composition for most people.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: BMI correlates fairly well with body fat percentage for most people, though it doesn't directly measure body fat.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is widely used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. It helps identify potential weight-related health risks.

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).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the standard BMI categories?
A: Underweight (<18.5), Normal (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obese (≥30).

Q2: Does BMI apply to everyone?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and underestimate it in older people with lost muscle mass.

Q3: Is BMI different for children?
A: Yes, children's BMI is age and sex-specific and interpreted using percentile charts.

Q4: What's a healthy BMI range?
A: For adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is generally considered healthy, but individual factors matter.

Q5: Should BMI be the only measure of health?
A: No, waist circumference, diet, physical activity, and other factors should also be considered.