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 weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters.

2. Asian Female BMI Categories

For Asian females, the World Health Organization recommends adjusted BMI cutoffs:

• Underweight: BMI < 18.5 kg/m²
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5-22.9 kg/m²
• Overweight: BMI 23-27.4 kg/m²
• Obese: BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m²

These lower thresholds reflect the higher health risks at lower BMI levels in Asian populations.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI provides a simple numeric measure of body fatness that helps identify weight problems in adults. For Asian women, the risks of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease begin at lower BMI levels than in Caucasian populations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For accuracy, measure height without shoes and weight in light clothing. The calculator uses Asian-specific BMI categories for more appropriate health risk assessment.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why different BMI categories for Asian females?
A: Asian populations tend to have higher body fat percentages at lower BMIs and develop obesity-related diseases at lower BMI levels compared to Caucasians.

Q2: Is BMI accurate for muscular individuals?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in muscular people and underestimate it in older people who have lost muscle mass.

Q3: What's a healthy BMI range for Asian women?
A: The ideal range is typically 18.5-22.9 kg/m², though individual factors should also be considered.

Q4: Does BMI apply to pregnant women?
A: No, BMI calculations are not valid during pregnancy as weight gain is expected and necessary.

Q5: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles rather than adult categories.