1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. BMI is an inexpensive and easy screening method for weight category—underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Body weight in kilograms
• \( height \) — Height in meters

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 used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems but it 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 most adults, BMI provides a good estimate of weight-related health risks.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the BMI categories for adults?
A: Underweight (BMI < 18.5), Normal weight (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obesity (BMI 30 or greater).

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

Q3: What is a healthy BMI?
A: For most adults, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy.

Q4: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific percentiles rather than the adult categories.

Q5: What are the health risks of high BMI?
A: Higher BMI is associated with increased risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.