1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. It's a quick screening tool but doesn't directly measure body fat.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula for pounds and inches:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula relates weight to height squared, providing a standardized measure of body weight relative to height.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI helps identify potential weight problems in adults, though it has limitations. It's used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in pounds and height in inches. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). For most accurate results, measure height without shoes and weight with minimal clothing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

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

Q3: Why use 703 in the formula?
A: This is a conversion factor needed when using pounds and inches instead of kilograms and meters.

Q4: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children need age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles rather than adult categories.

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