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. It provides a useful population-level measure of overweight and obesity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula divides a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a simple, inexpensive screening method for weight category - underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity. While it doesn't measure body fat directly, research has shown BMI to be correlated with more direct measures of body fat.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). For women, BMI interpretation is the same as for the general population.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy BMI range for women?
A: For adults (both men and women), a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy.

Q2: Are there limitations to BMI?
A: Yes. BMI doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, overall body composition, or racial and sex differences. Athletes may have a high BMI due to increased muscle mass rather than fat.

Q3: How accurate is BMI for women?
A: BMI tends to overestimate body fat in athletes and underestimate it in older persons who have lost muscle mass. For most women, it provides a reasonable estimate of body fat.

Q4: Should pregnant women use BMI?
A: BMI calculations are not appropriate during pregnancy as weight gain is expected and necessary.

Q5: What are the BMI categories?
A: Underweight (BMI < 18.5), Normal weight (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obesity (BMI ≥ 30).