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 equation:

Where:

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

Explanation: BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a simple, inexpensive screening method for weight category—underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity. It can indicate potential health risks associated with different weight categories.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). Note that BMI after eating may show minimal short-term changes.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does BMI change significantly after eating?
A: Short-term changes in BMI after eating are minimal since food intake causes relatively small weight changes compared to total body mass.

Q2: What are normal BMI values?
A: Underweight (<18.5), Normal weight (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obesity (≥30).

Q3: When is the best time to measure BMI?
A: For most accurate tracking, measure at the same time of day (preferably morning before eating) and under similar conditions.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass, so athletes may have high BMI without excess fat. It also doesn't account for fat distribution.

Q5: Should BMI be used alone for health assessment?
A: BMI should be considered alongside other measurements like waist circumference and overall health assessment.