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 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 useful measure of overweight and obesity. It is calculated from your height and weight and is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of screening for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

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 is a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, an ideal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. Below 18.5 is underweight, 25-29.9 is overweight, and 30+ is obese.

Q2: Does BMI apply to everyone?
A: BMI may not be accurate for athletes (who may have high muscle mass), pregnant women, children, or the elderly.

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 lose or gain weight.

Q4: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so very muscular people may have a high BMI without excess fat.

Q5: Should children use the same BMI ranges?
A: No, children's BMI is interpreted relative to other children of the same age and sex using percentile charts.