1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight. The formula is BMI = kg/m² where kg is a person's weight in kilograms and m² is their height in meters squared. It provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people.

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 compares your weight to your height to estimate body fat. Higher BMI values indicate higher body fatness.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI screening is important because it may help identify weight problems in adults. However, BMI is not a diagnostic tool. It's used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height, you can convert from cm to m by dividing by 100 (e.g., 175 cm = 1.75 m).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the BMI categories?
A: Underweight (BMI < 18.5), Normal weight (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), and Obese (≥30).

Q2: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and others with muscular builds, and underestimate it in older persons who have lost muscle mass.

Q3: What is the ideal BMI for Indian men?
A: For Indian men, a BMI of 18.5-22.9 is considered normal, 23-24.9 overweight, and ≥25 obese due to higher body fat percentages at lower BMIs.

Q4: Should PNP personnel maintain a specific BMI?
A: Police personnel are often required to maintain BMI within certain limits as part of fitness standards, typically in the normal range.

Q5: What are alternatives to BMI?
A: Waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and body fat percentage measurements may provide additional information about health risks.