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. For Asian females, the normal range is considered to be 18.5-22.9 kg/m².

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Asian Female Classification:

• Underweight: BMI < 18.5
• Normal: BMI 18.5-22.9
• Overweight: BMI 23-24.9
• Obese I: BMI 25-29.9
• Obese II: BMI ≥ 30

3. Importance of BMI for Asian Females

Details: Asian populations generally have higher body fat percentages at lower BMIs compared to Caucasians. The lower normal range (up to 22.9 instead of 24.9) accounts for increased health risks at lower BMI thresholds in Asian females.

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: Why is the normal range different for Asian females?
A: Asian populations tend to have higher body fat percentages at lower BMIs and increased metabolic risks at lower BMI thresholds compared to Caucasians.

Q2: Is BMI accurate for muscular individuals?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in muscular people and underestimate it in older people with less muscle mass.

Q3: What's a healthy BMI for pregnancy?
A: For Asian females, aim for normal BMI (18.5-22.9) before pregnancy. Different weight gain recommendations apply during pregnancy.

Q4: Are there better measures than BMI?
A: Waist circumference and body fat percentage may provide additional information, but BMI remains widely used for screening.

Q5: How often should I check my BMI?
A: For most adults, checking every 6-12 months is sufficient unless actively trying to change weight.