1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity in adults. It is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.

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)

3. BMI Categories for Malaysia

Malaysian BMI Classification:

• Underweight: BMI < 18.5
• Normal weight: 18.5 ≤ BMI < 23
• Overweight (At risk): 23 ≤ BMI < 27.5
• Obese: BMI ≥ 27.5

Note: These thresholds are lower than WHO standards due to higher health risks at lower BMI levels in Asian populations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height, you can convert from cm to m (e.g., 170 cm = 1.70 m). All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are Malaysian BMI categories different?
A: Asians, including Malaysians, have higher health risks at lower BMI levels compared to Caucasians, hence the lower thresholds.

Q2: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may not accurately reflect body fat in athletes (high muscle mass), elderly (height loss), or pregnant women.

Q3: What's a healthy BMI range for Malaysians?
A: For Malaysians, a BMI between 18.5 to 22.9 is considered healthy with lowest health risks.

Q4: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles, not adult categories.

Q5: What other measurements complement BMI?
A: Waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio provide additional information about fat distribution.