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 widely used indicator of whether a person has a healthy body weight.

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 produce a single number that falls into specific categories.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI provides a simple numeric measure to help identify potential weight problems in adults. While it doesn't directly measure body fat, it correlates with direct measures of body fat.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For accurate results, measure weight without heavy clothing and height without shoes.

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: How often should I check my BMI?
A: For most adults, checking every 6-12 months is sufficient unless you're actively trying to change your weight.

Q4: Can children use this calculator?
A: Children need age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles rather than adult categories.

Q5: What's a healthy BMI range for adults?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy, but individual circumstances may vary.