1. What is BMI?

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women. It provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula divides a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a simple screening tool to identify possible weight problems in adults. It can indicate whether a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the BMI categories?
A: Underweight (<18.5), Normal weight (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obesity (≥30).

Q2: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and underestimate it in older people who have lost muscle mass.

Q3: Why focus on women specifically?
A: Women typically have higher body fat percentages than men at the same BMI.

Q4: Are there better measures than BMI?
A: Waist circumference and body fat percentage may provide additional information about health risks.

Q5: Should pregnant women use BMI?
A: BMI calculations during pregnancy are not accurate and should not be used to assess weight status.