1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight to assess body fatness. It's a widely used screening tool to identify potential weight problems in adults.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: BMI correlates fairly well with body fat for most people, though it doesn't directly measure body fat.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI helps healthcare professionals screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. It's a quick, inexpensive method for population assessment.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the standard BMI categories?
A: Underweight (<18.5), Normal (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obese (≥30).

Q2: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: No. BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and underestimate it in older people with lost muscle mass.

Q3: Can children use this calculator?
A: No. Children need age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles rather than adult categories.

Q4: What's a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy, but individual factors matter.

Q5: Should BMI be the only measure of health?
A: No. Waist circumference, diet, physical activity, and other factors provide a fuller health picture.