1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight to assess weight status in adults. It provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories.

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 correlates fairly well with body fat in most people, though it doesn't directly measure body fat.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is used to identify potential weight problems in adults. While not diagnostic, it's a screening tool that can indicate whether further assessment is needed.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height in centimeters, divide by 100 (e.g., 175 cm = 1.75 m). All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

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), Obese (≥30).

Q2: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and underestimate it in older people with lost muscle mass.

Q3: Can BMI be used for children?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles.

Q4: What's a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy.

Q5: Should BMI be the only measure of health?
A: No, waist circumference, diet, physical activity, and other factors should also be considered.