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.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the BMI formula:

Where:

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

3. BMI Categories

Standard BMI Categories:

• Underweight: BMI < 18.5
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5-24.9
• Overweight: BMI 25-29.9
• Obesity: BMI ≥ 30

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may not accurately reflect body fat in athletes (high muscle mass), elderly (loss of muscle mass), or certain ethnic groups.

Q2: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass, and doesn't account for fat distribution.

Q3: Can children use this calculator?
A: Children need age- and sex-specific BMI percentile charts rather than adult categories.

Q4: How often should I check my BMI?
A: For most adults, checking every few months is sufficient unless undergoing significant weight changes.

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