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. For South Asian populations including Indians, lower BMI cutoffs are used due to higher health risks at lower BMI levels.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula with South Asian specific cutoffs:

South Asian Specific Categories:

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

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a simple screening tool for weight categories that may lead to health problems. For South Asians, health risks begin at lower BMI levels compared to other populations.

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 cutoffs for South Asians?
A: South Asians have higher body fat percentage at lower BMI levels and greater risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease at lower BMI.

Q2: What is a healthy BMI for Indian men?
A: For Indian men, BMI between 18.5-22.9 kg/m² is considered healthy, lower than the standard 18.5-24.9 range.

Q3: Are there limitations to BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat. Athletes may have high BMI without excess fat, while some may have normal BMI but high body fat.

Q4: Should BMI be measured differently for elderly?
A: Yes, slightly higher BMI may be better for elderly as very low BMI increases mortality risk.

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