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. BMI 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
• \( height \) — Height in meters

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 used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems but it is not diagnostic of body fatness or health. Healthcare professionals use BMI as one tool among many to assess health risks.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your 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: 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 women and men?
A: The calculation is the same, but healthy ranges may vary slightly due to natural differences in body composition.

Q3: What are BMI limitations?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so athletes may have high BMI without excess fat. It also doesn't account for fat distribution.

Q4: Is BMI accurate for pregnant women?
A: No, BMI calculations during pregnancy are not meaningful due to weight changes.

Q5: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles rather than adult categories.