1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. For women, BMI provides a quick assessment of whether weight is in a healthy range relative to height.

2. How BMI is Calculated

The BMI formula is:

Where:

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

Example: For a woman weighing 65 kg and 1.70 m tall:
BMI = 65 / (1.70 × 1.70) = 22.5 kg/m² (Normal weight)

3. BMI Categories for Women

Standard Categories:

• Underweight: BMI < 18.5
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5-24.9
• Overweight: BMI 25-29.9
• Obese: BMI ≥ 30

Note: While BMI is a useful screening tool, it doesn't directly measure body fat and may not account for muscle mass, bone density, or body composition variations.

4. Using the Calculator

Instructions: Enter your weight in kilograms and height in meters. The calculator will compute your BMI and indicate your weight category.

For Accuracy: Measure height without shoes and weight in light clothing for most accurate results.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is BMI different for women than men?
A: The same BMI ranges apply to both genders, but women typically have higher body fat percentages at the same BMI.

Q2: What's a healthy BMI range for women?
A: 18.5-24.9 is considered healthy, though optimal may vary by individual factors.

Q3: Can BMI be inaccurate for athletic women?
A: Yes, muscular women may have higher BMI without excess fat due to muscle weighing more than fat.

Q4: Should elderly women use the same BMI ranges?
A: Slightly higher BMI (up to 27) may be acceptable for older women as some extra weight can be protective.

Q5: What are alternatives to BMI?
A: Waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, or body fat percentage measurements may provide additional insights.