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. BMI screens for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

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 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 reliable indicator of body fatness for most people. It is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems but is not diagnostic of the body fatness or health of an individual.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height, you can convert from cm to m by dividing by 100 (e.g., 175 cm = 1.75 m).

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), and Obese (≥30).

Q2: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and others with muscular builds, and underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle.

Q3: What are the health risks of high BMI?
A: Higher BMI is associated with increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems, and certain cancers.

Q4: How often should I check my BMI?
A: For most adults, checking BMI once a year is sufficient unless you're actively trying to lose or gain weight.

Q5: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific percentiles because their body composition varies as they grow.