1. What is BMI?

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The equation calculates body mass index which correlates with body fat for most people.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is an inexpensive screening method for weight categories that may lead to health problems. For adult females, CDC defines healthy weight as BMI between 18.5-24.9.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). The calculator will determine if your BMI falls within CDC's healthy weight range for females.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy BMI range for females?
A: According to CDC guidelines, 18.5-24.9 is considered healthy weight for adult females.

Q2: Does BMI differ for males and females?
A: The same BMI ranges apply to both sexes, but body composition differs (females typically have more body fat at same BMI).

Q3: What are the 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: Is BMI accurate for athletes?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes with significant muscle mass. Additional measurements may be needed.

Q5: Should BMI be used alone to assess health?
A: No, BMI should be used with other assessments like waist circumference, diet, physical activity, and family history.