1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, overweight and obesity in adults. It provides a useful population-level measure of overweight and obesity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Body weight in kilograms
• \( height \) — Height in meters

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

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 meters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: Are there limitations to BMI?
A: BMI doesn't directly measure body fat and doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, overall body composition, or racial and sex differences.

Q3: Is BMI different for men and women?
A: The calculation is the same, but interpretation may differ slightly as women tend to have more body fat than men at the same BMI.

Q4: Can BMI be used for athletes?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have muscular builds, as muscle weighs more than fat.

Q5: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific percentiles rather than the adult BMI categories.