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's a simple calculation using a person's height and weight to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( height \) — Height in meters (m), converted from centimeters (cm)

Explanation: The formula divides a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters to calculate their BMI score.

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.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. The calculator automatically converts height to meters for the calculation. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the standard BMI categories?
A: Underweight (<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 those with muscular builds, and underestimate it in older persons who have lost muscle mass.

Q3: Why use metric units?
A: The standard BMI formula uses metric units (kg and m). This calculator simplifies it by accepting height in cm which is converted to meters.

Q4: What's a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, a healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. However, optimal BMI may vary by age, sex, and ethnicity.

Q5: Should children use this calculator?
A: Children and teens need age- and sex-specific percentiles rather than the adult categories shown here.