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 adults. It is defined as a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters (kg/m²).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Python Algorithm Example:

def calculate_bmi(weight_kg, height_m):
    bmi = weight_kg / (height_m ** 2)
    return round(bmi, 1)

# Example usage:
weight = 70  # kg
height = 1.75  # meters
bmi = calculate_bmi(weight, height)
print(f"BMI: {bmi}")  # Output: BMI: 22.9
                    

3. BMI Categories

• Underweight: BMI < 18.5
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5-24.9
• Overweight: BMI 25-29.9
• Obese: BMI ≥ 30

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 may not accurately reflect body fat in athletes (who have more muscle) or elderly (who may have lost muscle).

Q2: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, and doesn't account for fat distribution, which affects health risks.

Q3: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles rather than these adult categories.

Q4: What's a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy, but individual health factors should also be considered.

Q5: How often should I check my BMI?
A: Periodic checks (every few months) can help track changes, but focus should be on overall health rather than just BMI.