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BMI Formula:
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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.
The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:
Where:
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.
Details: BMI is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems but it is not diagnostic of the body fatness or health of an individual. It's a useful starting point for important conversations about weight between patients and healthcare providers.
Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For adults, BMI is interpreted using standard weight status categories that are the same for all ages and for both men and women.
Q1: What are the BMI categories for adults?
A: Underweight (BMI < 18.5), Normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9), Overweight (BMI 25-29.9), Obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
Q2: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and others with muscular builds and underestimate body fat in older persons who have lost muscle mass.
Q3: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need BMI-for-age percentiles that account for normal differences in body fat between boys and girls and differences at various ages.
Q4: What are the health risks associated with high BMI?
A: Higher BMI is associated with increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems, and certain cancers.
Q5: What if my BMI is in the overweight or obese range?
A: Talk to your healthcare provider about potential health risks and whether you should lose weight. They can evaluate other factors like waist circumference and risk factors for diseases.