1. What is BMI and Ideal Body Weight?

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. Ideal Body Weight (IBW) is an estimate of healthy weight based on height and gender, calculated using the Hamwi formula.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses these formulas:

Where:

• \( height \) — Height in inches
• \( weight \) — Weight in kilograms (for BMI only)
• Different constants are used for males and females in IBW calculation

3. Importance of BMI and IBW

Details: BMI helps classify weight categories (underweight, normal, overweight, obese). IBW provides a target weight range for medical purposes like drug dosing and nutritional assessment.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter height in inches. Weight is optional (needed only for BMI calculation). Select gender for IBW calculation. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are normal BMI values?
A: Underweight (<18.5), Normal (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obese (≥30).

Q2: How accurate is the Hamwi formula?
A: It's a general estimate. Actual healthy weight may vary based on muscle mass, frame size, and other factors.

Q3: Should everyone aim for their IBW?
A: Not necessarily. IBW is a medical reference point. Healthy weight ranges should consider body composition and individual health factors.

Q4: What's the difference between IBW and BMI?
A: IBW estimates what you "should" weigh based on height, while BMI assesses your current weight status.

Q5: Why is height in inches but weight in kg?
A: The Hamwi formula uses inches, while BMI is typically calculated in metric units. We maintain these standards for accuracy.