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. It is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.

2. How Does the BMI Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula calculates body mass per unit of height squared, providing a standardized measure of body composition.

3. BMI Categories for Filipino Men

Details: For Filipino men, the following BMI categories apply:

• Underweight: BMI < 18.5
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5 - 22.9
• Overweight (at risk): BMI 23 - 24.9
• Overweight: BMI 25 - 29.9
• Obese: BMI ≥ 30

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). For height, you can convert from cm to m by dividing by 100 (e.g., 170 cm = 1.7 m).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are BMI categories different for Filipinos?
A: Filipinos and other Asian populations tend to have higher body fat percentages at lower BMIs compared to Caucasians, hence the adjusted categories.

Q2: What is considered a healthy BMI for Filipino men?
A: For Filipino men, a BMI between 18.5 and 22.9 is considered normal and healthy.

Q3: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so muscular individuals may be classified as overweight despite having low body fat.

Q4: Should BMI be measured differently for elderly Filipinos?
A: Yes, for elderly individuals (65+), the normal BMI range may extend slightly higher (up to 24.9) as some studies suggest slightly higher weight may be protective.

Q5: What other measurements complement BMI?
A: Waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio provide additional information about fat distribution and health risks.