1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity in adults. It is calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (kg/m²).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Classification:

• Underweight: BMI < 18.5 kg/m²
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²
• Overweight: BMI 25-29.9 kg/m²
• Obese: BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²

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. For height in centimeters, divide by 100 (e.g., 175 cm = 1.75 m). All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may not be accurate for athletes (who may have high muscle mass), pregnant women, children, or the elderly.

Q2: What is a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, a healthy range is 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m².

Q3: How often should I check my BMI?
A: For most people, checking every few months is sufficient unless you're actively trying to change your weight.

Q4: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass, and doesn't account for fat distribution.

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