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 adult men. It's calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness, allowing health professionals to discuss weight problems objectively.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI provides a useful population-level measure of overweight and obesity as it's the same for both sexes and for all ages of adults. However, it should be considered a rough guide because it may not correspond to the same degree of fatness in different individuals.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height, you can convert from cm to m by dividing 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 for men?
A: Underweight (<18.5), Normal weight (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obese (≥30).

Q2: Why are percentiles less common for adult men?
A: Percentiles are primarily used for children and teens. For adults, fixed BMI categories are used regardless of age.

Q3: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so muscular individuals may be classified as overweight. It also doesn't account for fat distribution.

Q4: Is BMI different for men and women?
A: The same BMI ranges apply to both, though women typically have more body fat than men at the same BMI.

Q5: Should athletes use BMI?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes with significant muscle mass. Additional measurements like body fat percentage may be more appropriate.