1. What Is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. For children and teens, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age.

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 screening tool to identify possible weight problems for adults. However, BMI is not a diagnostic tool. To determine if excess weight is a health risk, a healthcare provider would need to perform further assessments.

4. Using The Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). For children and teens, BMI interpretation is age- and sex-specific.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the 95th percentile for BMI?
A: The 95th percentile means the BMI is greater than 95% of the reference population. For children, this typically indicates obesity.

Q2: What are normal BMI values?
A: For adults: Underweight (<18.5), Normal (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obese (≥30). For children, percentiles are used instead.

Q3: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't directly measure body fat and doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution.

Q4: How often should BMI be measured?
A: For adults, annually is sufficient unless there are specific concerns. For children, more frequent monitoring may be needed during growth spurts.

Q5: Should BMI be used alone for health assessment?
A: No, BMI should be used as a screening tool along with other assessments like waist circumference, diet, physical activity, and family history.