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.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

3. Asian/Filipino Male Specifics

Details: This calculator uses adjusted cutoffs for Asian/Filipino males:

• Underweight: < 18.5 kg/m²
• Normal weight: 18.5-23 kg/m²
• Overweight: >23-25 kg/m²
• Obese: >25 kg/m²

These lower thresholds reflect the higher health risks at lower BMI levels in Asian populations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why different cutoffs for Asian/Filipino males?
A: Asian populations tend to have higher body fat percentages at lower BMIs and higher risks of diabetes and cardiovascular disease at lower BMI levels.

Q2: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, and may misclassify muscular individuals as overweight.

Q3: Should athletes use this calculator?
A: Athletes with high muscle mass may need additional assessments like body fat percentage measurements.

Q4: How often should I check my BMI?
A: For most adults, checking every 3-6 months is sufficient unless undergoing significant weight changes.

Q5: Does this apply to all Asian ethnicities?
A: While the general pattern holds, there may be slight variations between different Asian subgroups.