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BMI Formula:
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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).
The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:
Where:
Interpretation: The result is compared against standard BMI categories:
Details: BMI provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness, allowing health professionals to discuss weight problems more objectively with their patients. While not a direct measure of body fat, BMI correlates moderately well with more direct measures of body fat.
Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height in centimeters, divide by 100 (e.g., 175 cm = 1.75 m). All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).
Q1: Is BMI different for men and women?
A: The same BMI formula applies to both adult men and women. However, women tend to have more body fat than men at the same BMI.
Q2: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, overall body composition, or racial and ethnic differences. Athletes may have a high BMI from muscle rather than fat.
Q3: Is BMI applicable to children?
A: BMI for children and teens is interpreted differently, using age- and sex-specific percentiles rather than the adult categories.
Q4: What's a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy. However, optimal BMI may vary by individual factors.
Q5: Should BMI be used alone to assess health?
A: No, BMI should be considered along with other measurements like waist circumference, diet, physical activity, and family history.