1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity in adults. The Singapore BMI classification is specifically adjusted for Asian populations who tend to have higher health risks at lower BMI levels compared to Caucasians.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Singapore BMI Classification:

• Underweight: BMI < 18.5
• Normal weight: 18.5 ≤ BMI < 23
• Overweight (At Risk): 23 ≤ BMI < 27.5
• Obese (High Risk): BMI ≥ 27.5

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is an important screening tool for weight categories that may lead to health problems. In Singapore, the thresholds are lower than WHO standards because Asians have higher risks of diabetes and cardiovascular disease at lower BMI levels.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height, you can convert from cm to m by dividing by 100 (e.g., 170 cm = 1.7 m). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are Singapore BMI categories different?
A: Singapore uses lower BMI cut-offs because research shows Asians develop obesity-related diseases at lower BMI levels than Caucasians.

Q2: Is BMI accurate for athletes?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in muscular athletes as it doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass.

Q3: What is a healthy BMI range in Singapore?
A: The healthy range is 18.5 to 22.9 kg/m². Above 23 is considered overweight and increases health risks.

Q4: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children need age- and sex-specific BMI percentile charts as their body composition changes with growth.

Q5: What's better than BMI for health assessment?
A: Waist circumference and body fat percentage provide additional useful information about health risks.