1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, overweight and obesity in adults. It is defined as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters (kg/m²).

2. BMI Calculation

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

3. Indian-Specific BMI Cutoffs

Details: For Indian populations, lower BMI cutoffs are recommended due to higher body fat percentage at lower BMI levels compared to Western populations.

Indian BMI Categories:

• Underweight: <18.5 kg/m²
• Normal range: 18.5-22.9 kg/m²
• Overweight: 23-24.9 kg/m²
• Obese Class I: 25-29.9 kg/m²
• Obese Class II: ≥30 kg/m²

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).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why different cutoffs for Indians?
A: Indians have higher body fat percentage at lower BMI levels and higher risk of metabolic diseases at lower BMI compared to Caucasians.

Q2: Is BMI accurate for athletes?
A: No, BMI may overestimate body fat in muscular individuals and underestimate it in older people with less muscle mass.

Q3: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, and doesn't account for fat distribution (important for metabolic risk).

Q4: What's the healthy BMI range for Indian men?
A: 18.5-22.9 kg/m² is considered healthy for Indian men, lower than the international standard of 18.5-24.9.

Q5: Should I be concerned if my BMI is 23?
A: For Indians, BMI ≥23 indicates increased risk. Consider lifestyle modifications if your BMI is in this range.