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. It provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people.

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 by the square of your height to determine your body mass index.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a simple, inexpensive screening method for weight category—underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity. It helps identify potential weight problems in adults.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For pounds and inches, first convert to metric units (1 kg = 2.2 lbs, 1 m = 39.37 inches).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is BMI different for women and men?
A: The same BMI formula applies to both genders, but women naturally have more body fat than men at the same BMI.

Q2: What is a healthy BMI for women?
A: For adults 20+, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy. Below 18.5 is underweight, 25-29.9 is overweight, and 30+ is obese.

Q3: Are there limitations to BMI?
A: BMI doesn't directly measure body fat and may misclassify muscular individuals as overweight or fail to detect excess fat in older people with muscle loss.

Q4: Should athletes use BMI?
A: Athletes with high muscle mass may have a high BMI without excess fat. Additional measurements like body fat percentage may be more appropriate.

Q5: Does BMI work for pregnant women?
A: BMI calculations aren't valid during pregnancy as weight gain is expected and necessary for fetal development.