1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women. It provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula adapted for stone and feet measurements:

Where:

• 1 stone = 14 pounds
• 1 foot = 12 inches
• 703 is the conversion factor for imperial units

Explanation: The formula first converts stone to pounds and feet/inches to total inches, then applies the standard BMI calculation.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a simple screening tool for weight categories that may lead to health problems. It helps identify potential weight problems in adults.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your weight in stone (e.g., 10.5 for 10 stone 7 pounds), and height in feet and inches. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the 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 overestimate body fat in athletes and underestimate it in older people with lost muscle mass.

Q3: Why use stone and feet instead of metric?
A: This calculator is designed for those more familiar with imperial measurements commonly used in some countries.

Q4: Can children use this calculator?
A: No, this is for adults only. Children's BMI is interpreted differently using age and sex-specific percentiles.

Q5: What's the difference between stone and pounds?
A: 1 stone equals 14 pounds. Stone is commonly used in the UK and Ireland to measure body weight.