1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight to assess body composition. It's widely used to categorize underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity in adults.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: BMI correlates fairly well with body fat percentage for most people, though it has limitations for athletes and certain populations.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI helps assess health risks associated with underweight and overweight. It's used in clinical settings, fitness assessments, and population health studies.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For pounds and inches, convert first (1 kg = 2.2 lbs, 1 m = 39.37 inches).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: Is BMI accurate for athletes?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in muscular individuals as it doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat.

Q3: How often should I check my BMI?
A: For most adults, checking every 3-6 months is sufficient unless undergoing significant weight changes.

Q4: What's a healthy BMI for muscle building?
A: For men focusing on muscle gain, 22-25 is often ideal, though body fat percentage may be a better metric.

Q5: Does BMI apply to children?
A: Children use BMI-for-age percentiles rather than the adult categories shown here.