1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight. The formula is BMI = kg/m² where kg is a person's weight in kilograms and m² is their height in meters squared. This calculator follows Heart Foundation guidelines specifically for women.

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 objectively with their patients.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a screening tool that can indicate whether a woman is underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese. According to Heart Foundation guidelines, maintaining a healthy BMI is important for cardiovascular health.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For most accurate results, measure weight in the morning before eating and after using the bathroom.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy BMI range for women?
A: For adult women, 18.5-24.9 is considered healthy. Below 18.5 is underweight, 25-29.9 is overweight, and 30+ is obese.

Q2: Does BMI differ for women and men?
A: The same BMI ranges apply to both genders, though women naturally have higher body fat percentages than men at the same BMI.

Q3: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so muscular women may have high BMI without excess fat. It also doesn't account for fat distribution.

Q4: Is BMI accurate for all women?
A: BMI may be less accurate for very tall or short women, pregnant women, and certain ethnic groups with different body compositions.

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