1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a value derived from the mass and height of a person. It provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness, allowing health professionals to discuss weight problems more objectively with their patients.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Weight in pounds (lbs)
• \( height \) — Height in inches (feet × 12 + inches)
• 703 — Conversion factor (kg/m² to lbs/in²)

Explanation: The formula calculates body mass per unit of height squared, providing a standardized measure across different heights.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is widely used as a screening tool to identify possible weight problems in adults. While it doesn't measure body fat directly, research has shown that BMI correlates to direct measures of body fat.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in pounds, and height in feet and inches. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0 inches).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: Is BMI different for women and men?
A: The same BMI ranges apply to both, though women typically have higher body fat percentages at the same BMI.

Q3: What are BMI limitations?
A: BMI doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution. Athletes may have high BMI without excess fat.

Q4: Is BMI accurate for all heights?
A: BMI tends to overestimate body fat in shorter people and underestimate it in taller people.

Q5: Should BMI be used alone for health assessment?
A: No, it should be used alongside other measurements like waist circumference and body composition analysis.