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 a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters (kg/m²).

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)

3. BMI Categories for Singapore

Singapore BMI Classification:

• Below 18.5: Underweight
• 18.5 - 22.9: Normal weight
• 23.0 - 27.4: Overweight (At Risk)
• 27.5 and above: Obese (High Risk)

Note: Singapore uses lower BMI cut-offs than international standards due to higher health risks at lower BMI levels for Asian populations.

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).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are Singapore BMI categories different?
A: Asians tend to have higher body fat percentage at lower BMI levels compared to Caucasians, leading to higher health risks at lower BMI thresholds.

Q2: Is BMI accurate for athletes?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in muscular individuals as it doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass.

Q3: What's a healthy BMI range for Singaporean men?
A: For Singaporean men, a BMI of 18.5-22.9 is considered healthy, though individual factors should also be considered.

Q4: Should elderly use the same BMI ranges?
A: For elderly, slightly higher BMI (up to 24.9) may be acceptable as some body fat can be protective against frailty.

Q5: What other measurements complement BMI?
A: Waist circumference and body fat percentage provide additional useful information about health risks.