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 calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters.

2. Asian-Specific BMI Categories

For Asian populations, and particularly Asian females, lower BMI cutoffs are recommended:

• Underweight: BMI < 18.5 kg/m²
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5-22.9 kg/m²
• Overweight: BMI 23-27.4 kg/m²
• Obese: BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m²

These lower thresholds reflect the higher risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease at lower BMI levels in Asian populations.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI provides a simple numeric measure of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

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., 165 cm = 1.65 m).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why different BMI categories for Asians?
A: Asian populations tend to have higher body fat percentages at lower BMIs and higher risk of metabolic diseases at lower BMI thresholds.

Q2: Is BMI accurate for athletes?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in muscular individuals as it doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass.

Q3: What's a healthy BMI range for Asian women?
A: For Asian women, a BMI of 18.5-22.9 is generally considered healthy, with increased health risks above 23.

Q4: Does this calculator account for age?
A: The standard BMI calculation doesn't account for age, though body composition changes with age.

Q5: Are there better measures than BMI?
A: While BMI is useful for population studies, waist circumference or body fat percentage may be better individual indicators of health risk.