1. What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women. It's a simple screening tool to identify possible weight problems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula divides a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI provides a simple numeric measure that helps categorize individuals as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese, which can indicate potential health risks.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: Is BMI accurate for athletes?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes with high muscle mass and underestimate it in older people with less muscle mass.

Q3: How often should I check my BMI?
A: Periodic checks can help monitor weight changes, but it's not necessary to check more than every few months.

Q4: Does BMI apply to children?
A: Children's BMI is interpreted differently using age and sex-specific percentiles rather than fixed categories.

Q5: What's better than BMI?
A: For more accuracy, body fat percentage measurements or waist-to-hip ratio may provide better health indicators.