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 BMI formula for measurements in stones, pounds, and inches:

Where:

• \( weight_{stones} \) — Weight in stones
• \( weight_{pounds} \) — Additional weight in pounds (0-13)
• \( height_{inches} \) — Height in inches
• 703 — Conversion factor

Explanation: The formula converts stones to total pounds, then applies the standard BMI calculation with the imperial units conversion factor.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is widely used as a screening tool to identify possible weight problems in adults. It helps categorize individuals as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your weight in stones and pounds (1 stone = 14 pounds), and your height in inches. All values must be valid (stones ≥ 0, pounds between 0-13, inches > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy BMI range?
A: For adults, 18.5-24.9 is considered normal weight. Below 18.5 is underweight, 25-29.9 is overweight, and 30+ is obese.

Q2: Are there limitations to BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so athletes may have high BMI without excess fat. It also doesn't account for fat distribution.

Q3: How do I convert stones to pounds?
A: 1 stone equals 14 pounds. The calculator does this conversion automatically.

Q4: Is BMI different for men and women?
A: The calculation is the same, but healthy ranges may differ slightly due to typical body composition differences.

Q5: How accurate is BMI?
A: BMI is a useful screening tool but not diagnostic. Other measurements like waist circumference may provide additional information.