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. It provides a numeric value that categorizes a person as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula divides a person's weight by the square of their height to produce a value that can be compared against standard BMI categories.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a simple screening tool for weight categories that may lead to health problems. It's used by healthcare professionals to quickly identify potential weight problems in adults.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). For accuracy, measure height without shoes and weight in light clothing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the standard 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: How often should I check my BMI?
A: For most adults, checking every 6-12 months is sufficient unless you're actively trying to change your weight.

Q4: Can children use this calculator?
A: Children need age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles rather than the adult categories.

Q5: What's the Python code to calculate BMI?
A: def calculate_bmi(weight, height): return round(weight / (height ** 2), 1)