1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight to assess body fatness. It's a useful screening tool for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

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 Categories for Indian Women

For Indian women:

• <18.5 kg/m² — Underweight
• 18.5-22.9 kg/m² — Normal weight
• 23-27.4 kg/m² — Overweight
• ≥27.5 kg/m² — Obese

Note: These cut-offs are lower than international standards due to higher health risks at lower BMI for Indian populations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height in centimeters, divide by 100 (e.g., 165 cm = 1.65 m).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: Is BMI accurate for muscular women?
A: No, BMI may overestimate body fat in muscular individuals as it doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat.

Q3: What's a healthy BMI for Indian women?
A: 18.5-22.9 kg/m² is considered healthy, though individual factors should also be considered.

Q4: Should pregnant women use BMI?
A: BMI calculations during pregnancy are not accurate due to weight changes. Consult your doctor instead.

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