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)
• \( height \) — Height converted to inches (feet × 12 + inches)
• 703 — Conversion factor (kg/m² to lbs/inches²)

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

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

Q3: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, BMI for children and teens is interpreted differently with age- and sex-specific percentiles.

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

Q5: Are there better measures than BMI?
A: Waist circumference, body fat percentage, and other measures may provide additional information.