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. For women, BMI provides a general indicator of body fatness.

2. How BMI is Calculated for Women

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The same formula is used for both men and women, though BMI interpretation may differ slightly due to natural differences in body composition.

3. BMI Categories for Women

Details: BMI categories for adult women:

• Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9
• Overweight: BMI 25 to 29.9
• Obese: BMI 30 or greater

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height in centimeters, divide by 100 (e.g., 165 cm = 1.65 m). All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is BMI different for women than men?
A: The calculation is the same, but women typically have higher body fat percentages at the same BMI compared to men.

Q2: What is a healthy BMI for women?
A: Generally 18.5-24.9, though this may vary based on muscle mass and other factors.

Q3: Are there limitations to BMI for women?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so muscular women may have high BMI without excess fat. It also doesn't account for fat distribution.

Q4: Should pregnant women use BMI?
A: BMI calculations during pregnancy are not accurate for assessing weight status.

Q5: What's better than BMI for women?
A: Waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, or body fat percentage may provide better health indicators.