1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity in adults. For Singapore women, the BMI ranges are adjusted to reflect the higher health risks at lower BMI levels compared to Caucasian populations.

2. How BMI is Calculated

The BMI calculation formula is:

Where:

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

Example: For a woman weighing 58kg and 1.63m tall: 58 ÷ (1.63 × 1.63) = 21.8 kg/m²

3. BMI Categories for Singapore Women

Singapore-specific BMI categories:

• Below 18.5: Underweight
• 18.5 - 22.9: Normal weight
• 23 - 27.4: Overweight (At Risk)
• 27.5 and above: Obese (High Risk)

Note that these thresholds are lower than WHO standards due to higher health risks at lower BMI levels in Asian populations.

4. Using the Calculator

Instructions: Enter your weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height, you can convert from cm to m by dividing by 100 (e.g., 165cm = 1.65m).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are BMI categories different for Singapore women?
A: Asian populations, including Singaporeans, have higher body fat percentages at lower BMIs and greater health risks at lower BMI thresholds compared to Caucasians.

Q2: Is BMI accurate for muscular women?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in muscular individuals. Additional measurements like waist circumference provide better assessment.

Q3: What's a healthy BMI range for Singaporean women?
A: The ideal range is 18.5-22.9 kg/m², with increased health risks above 23 kg/m².

Q4: How often should I check my BMI?
A: For most adults, checking every 6-12 months is sufficient unless actively trying to lose or gain weight.

Q5: Does BMI apply to pregnant women?
A: No, BMI calculations are not valid during pregnancy due to natural weight gain.