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. For female athletes, BMI should be interpreted with caution as it doesn't account for muscle mass.

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

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: While BMI has limitations for athletes (who may have high muscle mass), it remains a useful screening tool for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). For female athletes, consider additional body composition measurements.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is BMI less accurate for female athletes?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat. Athletic women often have higher muscle mass which can put them in "overweight" category despite being healthy.

Q2: What are normal BMI values?
A: For adults: Underweight (<18.5), Normal (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obesity (≥30). Athletes may fall outside these ranges while being healthy.

Q3: When should BMI not be used?
A: For pregnant women, children, elderly, and those with significant muscle mass (like athletes) or edema.

Q4: What are better alternatives for athletes?
A: Body fat percentage measurements, waist-to-hip ratio, or sport-specific body composition assessments.

Q5: Should athletes worry about high BMI?
A: Not necessarily. A high BMI due to muscle mass is different from high BMI due to excess fat. Sport-specific assessments are more meaningful.