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 is defined as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters (kg/m²).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: 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.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a simple, inexpensive, and noninvasive surrogate measure of body fat. It correlates moderately well with direct measures of body fat and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). For most accurate results, measure weight in the morning after using the bathroom and before eating.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: Is BMI different for men and women?
A: The calculation is the same, but interpretation may differ slightly as women typically have higher body fat percentages than men at the same BMI.

Q3: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so athletes may be classified as overweight despite having low body fat. It also doesn't account for fat distribution.

Q4: Is BMI accurate for all ethnic groups?
A: BMI thresholds may need adjustment for some ethnic groups (e.g., lower thresholds for Asians) as health risks occur at lower BMIs.

Q5: Should BMI be the only measure of healthy weight?
A: No, waist circumference and other measures should also be considered for a complete assessment.