1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, healthy weight, overweight and obesity in adults. For women, healthy BMI ranges may vary slightly by age.

2. How BMI is Calculated

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

3. Healthy BMI Ranges for Women by Age

Standard Adult Range: 18.5 - 24.9 kg/m²
Elderly Women (65+ years): 23 - 27 kg/m² (slightly higher range recommended)
Pregnant Women: BMI categories don't apply (use pre-pregnancy weight)

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, and age in years. For accuracy, measure height without shoes and weight in light clothing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is BMI different for women than men?
A: The same BMI ranges apply to both genders, but women typically have higher body fat percentages at the same BMI.

Q2: Why does healthy BMI range change with age?
A: Older adults may benefit from slightly higher BMI as very low BMI in elderly is associated with higher mortality.

Q3: What if I'm very muscular?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in muscular individuals. Additional measurements like waist circumference may help.

Q4: Is BMI accurate during pregnancy?
A: No, BMI should be calculated using pre-pregnancy weight. Weight gain recommendations vary by pre-pregnancy BMI.

Q5: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, and doesn't account for fat distribution (e.g., visceral fat).