1. What is BMI?

BMI (Body Mass Index) 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:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Weight in pounds (lbs)
• \( feet \) — Height in feet
• \( inches \) — Additional height in inches

Explanation: The formula converts height to total inches, then calculates the ratio of weight to height squared, adjusted by the 703 conversion factor.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a simple screening tool to identify potential weight problems in adults. While it doesn't measure body fat directly, research has shown it correlates with more direct measures of body fat.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in pounds, height in feet and inches. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). For most accurate results, measure height without shoes and weight with minimal clothing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the standard BMI categories?
A: Underweight (BMI < 18.5), Normal weight (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obese (≥30).

Q2: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and underestimate it in older persons who have lost muscle mass.

Q3: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles.

Q4: What's a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy.

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