1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight. The formula is BMI = kg/m² where kg is a person's weight in kilograms and m² is their height in meters squared. A BMI of 18.5-24.9 is considered healthy for both males and females.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula divides your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared to determine your body mass index.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness, allowing health professionals to discuss weight problems objectively with their patients. While it doesn't measure body fat directly, research has shown that BMI correlates to direct measures of body fat.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your weight in kilograms and height in meters. For most adults, an ideal BMI is in the 18.5-24.9 range. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy BMI range?
A: For adults, 18.5-24.9 is considered healthy. Below 18.5 is underweight, 25-29.9 is overweight, and 30+ is obese.

Q2: Is BMI different for males and females?
A: The same BMI ranges apply to both adult males and females. However, women tend to have more body fat than men at the same BMI.

Q3: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, overall body composition, or racial and sex differences.

Q4: How accurate is BMI?
A: BMI is a useful screening tool but not diagnostic. Athletes may have high BMI from muscle not fat. Older adults may have normal BMI but too much fat.

Q5: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific BMI calculations because their body composition varies as they grow.