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. A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered normal weight.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard 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 screening tool to identify possible weight problems in adults. While it doesn't measure body fat directly, research has shown that BMI correlates to direct measures of body fat.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For most adults, an ideal BMI is in the 18.5 to 24.9 range.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy. 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 those with muscular builds. It may underestimate body fat in older persons who have lost muscle mass.

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

Q4: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific percentiles rather than the adult BMI categories.

Q5: What's better than BMI for measuring health?
A: While BMI is useful for population studies, waist circumference and body fat percentage may be better individual health indicators.