1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, healthy weight, overweight and obesity in adults. This calculator follows the Australian Heart Foundation guidelines specifically for females.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Classification for Adult Females:

• Underweight: BMI less than 18.5 kg/m²
• Healthy weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m²
• Overweight: BMI 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m²
• Obese: BMI 30.0 kg/m² or greater

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI provides a useful population-level measure of overweight and obesity. For females, maintaining a healthy BMI is particularly important for heart health, reproductive health, and prevention of chronic diseases.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For accuracy, measure weight without heavy clothing and height without shoes. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is BMI different for males and females?
A: The same BMI ranges apply to both genders, but body composition differs. Females typically have more body fat at the same BMI compared to males.

Q2: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so muscular individuals may have high BMI without excess fat. It also doesn't account for fat distribution.

Q3: Why use Australian Heart Foundation guidelines?
A: These guidelines are specifically tailored for the Australian population and consider local health patterns and risks.

Q4: Is BMI accurate during pregnancy?
A: No, BMI calculations are not valid during pregnancy as weight gain is expected and necessary for fetal development.

Q5: What other measures complement BMI?
A: Waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio provide additional information about fat distribution and health risks.