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. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the BMI formula:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Body weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( height \) — Height in meters (m) - converted from cm input

Explanation: The equation divides weight by the square of height to account for the fact that weight increases with the square of height.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a simple, inexpensive screening method for weight category—underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity. It's used to identify possible weight problems in adults.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height between 50-300 cm). The calculator automatically converts height to meters.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: Does BMI apply to everyone?
A: BMI may not be accurate for athletes (high muscle mass), pregnant women, or the elderly who may 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 change your weight.

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