1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women. It's calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

3. BMI Interpretation for Athletic Women

Important Note: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletic women because muscle weighs more than fat. Women with high muscle mass may have a high BMI but low body fat percentage.

Alternative Measures: For athletic women, body fat percentage measurements (via skinfold calipers, DEXA scan, or bioelectrical impedance) may provide more accurate assessment of body composition.

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 might BMI be inaccurate for athletic women?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat. Athletic women often have higher muscle mass which increases weight without increasing body fat.

Q2: What is a healthy BMI range?
A: Generally 18.5-24.9, but athletic women may fall into the "overweight" category (25-29.9) while being perfectly healthy.

Q3: Are there better alternatives for athletes?
A: Yes, body fat percentage (typically 14-24% for female athletes), waist-to-hip ratio, or other sport-specific metrics may be more appropriate.

Q4: Should athletic women ignore BMI completely?
A: Not necessarily. It can still be a useful screening tool when interpreted with other measures and understanding of individual circumstances.

Q5: How often should athletes check their BMI?
A: Unless required for sport classification, frequent BMI measurements aren't necessary. Focus on performance metrics and body composition instead.