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: The formula divides your weight by the square of your height to determine your body mass index.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a simple, inexpensive screening method for weight category—underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity. It helps identify potential weight problems in adults.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your weight in kilograms, height in meters, and age in years. For accurate results, measure your height without shoes and weight with minimal clothing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is BMI different for women than men?
A: The same BMI ranges apply to both men and women, but women tend to have more body fat than men at the same BMI.

Q2: Does BMI change with age?
A: For adults, BMI interpretation doesn't change with age, though body composition naturally changes. For children and teens, BMI is age- and sex-specific.

Q3: What are the standard BMI categories?
A: Underweight (<18.5), Normal weight (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obese (≥30).

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI?
A: BMI doesn't directly measure body fat and may misclassify muscular individuals as overweight or fail to detect excess fat in older people with muscle loss.

Q5: Should athletes use BMI?
A: Athletes with high muscle mass may have a high BMI that doesn't reflect their actual body fat percentage. Additional measurements may be needed.