1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure that uses your height and weight to work out if your weight is healthy. The NHS uses BMI as a screening tool to identify potential weight problems in adults.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

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

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI helps identify weight categories that may lead to health problems. The NHS categorizes BMI as underweight (below 18.5), healthy weight (18.5-24.9), overweight (25-29.9), and obese (30 and above).

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).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI has limitations - it may overestimate body fat in athletes and underestimate it in older people who have lost muscle mass.

Q2: What is a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy. However, optimal BMI may vary by ethnicity and other factors.

Q3: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific BMI percentile calculators as their body composition changes with growth.

Q4: What if I know my weight in stones and height in feet/inches?
A: Convert to metric first: 1 stone = 6.35 kg, 1 foot = 0.3048 m, 1 inch = 0.0254 m.

Q5: What should I do if my BMI is outside the healthy range?
A: Consult your GP or a health professional for personalized advice. BMI is just one indicator of health.