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 that provides a numeric value that helps categorize weight status.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula adapted for UK measurements:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( height \) — Height in centimeters (cm)
• \( 0.0328084 \) — Conversion factor from cm to feet

Explanation: The calculator first converts height from centimeters to feet, then calculates BMI using the standard formula with weight in kg and height in feet.

3. BMI Categories

Details: The standard BMI categories are:

• Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9
• Overweight: BMI 25 to 29.9
• Obesity: BMI 30 or greater

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. For best results, measure weight in the morning before eating and height without shoes.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why convert cm to feet for BMI calculation?
A: This calculator follows UK conventions where height is often measured in feet but medical measurements may be in cm.

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

Q3: What's a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy, though this may vary by ethnicity.

Q4: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children need age- and sex-specific BMI percentile charts.

Q5: What are BMI limitations?
A: BMI doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, overall body composition, or racial/ethnic differences.