1. What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

BMI is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. It provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people.

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 correlates moderately well with body fat in most populations. It's calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems but it is not diagnostic of body fatness or health. It's a quick screening tool for weight categories.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters. For pounds and inches, convert first (1 kg = 2.2 lbs, 1 m = 39.37 inches). All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

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

Q3: How does age affect BMI interpretation?
A: For children and teens, BMI is age- and sex-specific. For adults, the same categories apply to all ages.

Q4: What's a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy, though individual factors matter.

Q5: Should BMI be the only measure of health?
A: No, BMI should be considered along with other measures like waist circumference, diet, and physical activity.