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. For Indian females, the BMI categories may differ slightly from international standards due to differences in body composition.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.

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. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). For Indian females, the BMI ranges may need adjustment compared to Western standards.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the BMI categories for Indian females?
A: For Indian females: Underweight (<18.5), Normal (18.5-22.9), Overweight (23-24.9), Obese (≥25).

Q2: Why different BMI ranges for Indians?
A: Indians tend to have higher body fat percentage at lower BMI levels compared to Caucasians.

Q3: Is BMI accurate for all body types?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and underestimate it in older people who have lost muscle mass.

Q4: Should pregnant women use this calculator?
A: No, BMI calculations are not appropriate during pregnancy.

Q5: What's a healthy BMI range for Indian women?
A: For Indian women, a BMI between 18.5-22.9 kg/m² is considered healthy.