1. What is BMI?

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. It's a simple screening tool that may indicate whether a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Interpretation: The CDC defines BMI categories as:

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

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI provides a quick assessment of weight status that correlates with body fatness and health risks. It helps identify potential weight problems that may lead to health issues.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For accuracy, measure weight without heavy clothing and height without shoes. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and underestimate it in older adults with muscle loss. It's a screening tool, not a diagnostic measure.

Q2: How does BMI differ for children?
A: Children's BMI is age- and sex-specific, plotted on growth charts rather than using fixed thresholds.

Q3: What are the health risks of high BMI?
A: Higher BMI increases risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.

Q4: What if I know my weight in pounds and height in inches?
A: Convert pounds to kg (divide by 2.205) and inches to meters (multiply by 0.0254) before using this calculator.

Q5: Should athletes worry about high BMI?
A: Athletes with high muscle mass may have high BMI without excess fat. Additional measurements like waist circumference may be helpful.