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. It provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people.

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 divides weight by the square of height to account for the fact that weight increases with the square of height.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. For older adults, BMI interpretation may differ slightly from general adult populations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For printable results, use your browser's print function after calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the BMI categories for older adults?
A: For older adults (65+), a BMI of 23-30 is often considered healthy, with slightly higher ranges acceptable compared to younger adults.

Q2: Are there limitations to BMI for older adults?
A: Yes, BMI doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or body composition changes that occur with aging.

Q3: How should height be measured for older adults?
A: Measure standing height if possible. If significant kyphosis is present, consider alternative measurements like demi-span.

Q4: What if I only know my height in feet/inches?
A: Convert feet to inches (1 foot = 12 inches), then convert total inches to meters (multiply by 0.0254).

Q5: Should BMI be interpreted differently for older adults?
A: Yes, slightly higher BMI may be protective in older adults against frailty and osteoporosis.