1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight. The formula is BMI = kg/m² where kg is a person's weight in kilograms and m² is their height in meters squared. This calculator uses pounds and inches for convenience.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the BMI formula for pounds and inches:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Body weight in pounds (lbs)
• \( height \) — Height in inches (in)
• \( 703 \) — Conversion factor (kg/m² to lbs/in²)

Explanation: The formula calculates body mass per unit of height squared, providing a standardized measure of body weight relative to height.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a simple screening tool for weight categories that may lead to health problems. It's used to identify underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity in adults.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in pounds and height in inches. For accurate results, measure weight without heavy clothing and height without shoes.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

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

Q3: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles rather than adult categories.

Q4: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, and doesn't account for fat distribution (e.g., abdominal fat).

Q5: What's better than BMI for measuring health?
A: Waist circumference, body fat percentage, and other measurements combined with BMI give a better health picture.