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. It is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.

2. BMI Calculation for Indians

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Indian-specific BMI categories:

• Underweight: BMI < 18.5 kg/m²
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5-22.9 kg/m²
• Overweight: BMI 23-24.9 kg/m²
• Obese: BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²

Note: For Indians, overweight is defined at BMI >23 and obesity at BMI >25 (lower than international standards) due to higher body fat percentage at lower BMIs.

3. Importance of BMI Measurement

Details: BMI is a quick screening tool for weight categories that may lead to health problems. For Indians, even modest weight gain can significantly increase risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height in centimeters, divide by 100 (e.g., 170 cm = 1.7 m). All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why different BMI cutoffs for Indians?
A: Indians have higher body fat percentage and greater abdominal obesity at lower BMIs compared to Caucasians, increasing health risks at lower thresholds.

Q2: Is BMI accurate for athletes?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in muscular individuals and underestimate it in older people with less muscle mass.

Q3: What is a healthy BMI range for Indians?
A: For Indians, maintaining BMI between 18.5-22.9 kg/m² is considered ideal for reducing chronic disease risk.

Q4: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, BMI interpretation for children requires age- and sex-specific percentiles.

Q5: What other measurements are important?
A: Waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio provide additional information about abdominal fat distribution.