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 formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula divides a person's weight by the square of their height to categorize their weight status.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a simple, inexpensive screening method for weight categories that may lead to health problems. It helps identify potential weight problems for adults.

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: What are the BMI categories?
A: Underweight (BMI < 18.5), Normal weight (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), and Obese (≥30).

Q2: Is BMI different for men and women?
A: The calculation is the same, but healthy ranges may vary slightly due to body composition differences.

Q3: What are limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't directly measure body fat and may misclassify muscular individuals as overweight or fail to detect excess fat in older people.

Q4: Is BMI accurate for athletes?
A: Athletes with high muscle mass may have a high BMI without excess body fat. Additional measurements may be needed.

Q5: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles rather than adult categories.