1. What is BMI?

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity in adults. It is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared.

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

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is important because it correlates with body fat percentage and can indicate potential health risks associated with being underweight or overweight. The Singapore Heart Foundation recommends maintaining a healthy BMI to reduce cardiovascular risks.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height, you can convert from cm to m by dividing by 100 (e.g., 175 cm = 1.75 m). All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the BMI categories according to Singapore standards?
A: For Asian populations: Underweight (<18.5), Normal (18.5-22.9), Overweight (23-27.4), Obese (≥27.5).

Q2: Why use BMI instead of just weight?
A: BMI accounts for height, giving a better indication of healthy weight range than weight alone.

Q3: Are there limitations to BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so athletes may have high BMI without excess fat. It also doesn't account for fat distribution.

Q4: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children need age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles rather than adult categories.

Q5: What's a healthy BMI range for Singaporeans?
A: The Health Promotion Board Singapore recommends maintaining BMI between 18.5-22.9 for optimal health.