1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. BMI is an inexpensive and easy screening method for weight category—underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

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

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people. It is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, and age in years. For accurate results, measure height without shoes and weight with minimal clothing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: Does BMI interpretation differ by age?
A: Yes, for children and teens (2-19 years), BMI is age- and sex-specific and interpreted using growth charts.

Q3: What are limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't directly measure body fat and may misclassify muscular individuals as overweight or fail to detect excess fat in some individuals.

Q4: How often should BMI be calculated?
A: For adults, annual measurement is sufficient unless significant weight changes occur. Children should be tracked on growth charts.

Q5: Are there better alternatives to BMI?
A: For more precise body composition analysis, methods like skinfold thickness measurements, DEXA scan, or underwater weighing may be used.