1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, overweight and obesity in adults. It is defined as a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters (kg/m²).

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 calculates body mass per unit of surface area, providing a standardized way to compare weights across different heights.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness, allowing health professionals to discuss weight problems more objectively with their patients.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For accuracy, measure height without shoes and weight with minimal clothing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy BMI range?
A: For adults, 18.5-24.9 is considered normal weight, below 18.5 is underweight, 25-29.9 is overweight, and 30+ is obese.

Q2: Is BMI different for women and men?
A: The same BMI ranges apply to both genders, though women tend to have more body fat than men at the same BMI.

Q3: What are BMI's limitations?
A: BMI doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, overall body composition, or racial/ethnic differences.

Q4: 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.

Q5: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles rather than the adult categories.