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. BMI 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 is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters.

3. BMI Categories

For adults aged 60+:

• Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9
• Overweight: BMI 25 to 29.9
• Obese: BMI 30 or greater

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is BMI different for older adults?
A: While the same BMI categories apply, older adults may have different body composition. Muscle loss and fat redistribution can affect interpretation.

Q2: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so muscular individuals may be classified as overweight. It also doesn't account for fat distribution.

Q3: Is BMI accurate for seniors?
A: BMI remains useful but should be interpreted with other measures like waist circumference and overall health assessment.

Q4: What's a healthy BMI for men over 60?
A: A BMI between 23-27 may be optimal for older men, as slightly higher BMI may be protective against certain conditions.

Q5: Should I worry if my BMI is slightly high?
A: Consult your doctor. For older adults, being slightly overweight may not be harmful if you're active and eating nutritiously.