1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a value derived from the mass and height of a person. It provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness, allowing health professionals to discuss weight problems objectively with their patients.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Weight in pounds (lbs)
• \( height \) — Height in inches
• 703 — Conversion factor to adjust units

Explanation: The formula calculates body mass divided by the square of body height, with a conversion factor to adjust for English units.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. It provides a simple numeric measure that correlates with body fat for most people.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in pounds and height in inches. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). The result will show your BMI value and weight category.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the BMI categories?
A: Underweight (BMI < 18.5), Normal weight (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), and Obese (≥30).

Q2: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and underestimate it in older persons who have lost muscle mass.

Q3: Why use 703 in the formula?
A: This is a conversion factor needed when using pounds and inches (kg/m² × 703 = lb/in²).

Q4: Should children use this calculator?
A: Children's BMI is interpreted differently using age- and sex-specific percentiles rather than these fixed categories.

Q5: What's a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy, though individual health factors should also be considered.