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 is defined as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters.

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 calculates body mass per unit of height squared, providing a standardized measure of body composition.

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. It is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For most accurate results, measure weight in the morning before eating and after using the bathroom. Measure height without shoes.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the standard 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 not accurately reflect body fat in athletes (who may have high muscle mass), the elderly (who may have lost muscle mass), or certain ethnic groups.

Q3: Why isn't age used in this calculator?
A: For adults, BMI categories don't vary by age. For children and teens, BMI percentiles by age are used instead of these standard categories.

Q4: What's a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy.

Q5: Should I use this if I'm pregnant?
A: BMI calculations are not appropriate during pregnancy as they don't account for the growing fetus and related weight changes.