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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Classification for Asian Adults (Singapore):

• Underweight: BMI < 18.5
• Normal weight: 18.5 ≤ BMI < 23
• Overweight (At Risk): 23 ≤ BMI < 27.5
• Obese (High Risk): BMI ≥ 27.5

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 height, you can convert from cm to m by dividing by 100 (e.g., 175 cm = 1.75 m). All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use BMI?
A: BMI is a simple, inexpensive screening method for weight category—underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity.

Q2: Are there limitations to BMI?
A: BMI doesn't directly measure body fat and may misclassify muscular individuals as overweight or obese. It also doesn't account for fat distribution.

Q3: Is BMI different for Asians?
A: Yes, Asian populations have different BMI cut-off points as they tend to have higher body fat percentage at lower BMI levels compared to Caucasians.

Q4: Can BMI be used for children?
A: BMI for children and teens is interpreted differently, using age and sex-specific percentiles rather than fixed cut-off points.

Q5: What are the health risks of high BMI?
A: Higher BMI is associated with increased risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.