1. What is BMI Percentage?

BMI Percentage compares an individual's Body Mass Index (BMI) to a reference BMI value, expressing the result as a percentage. It helps assess how much a person's BMI deviates from a standard or ideal value.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the BMI Percentage formula:

Where:

• \( BMI \) — Body Mass Index (kg/m²)
• \( Reference\ BMI \) — Standard BMI value for comparison (typically 22 kg/m²)

Explanation: The formula calculates what percentage the measured BMI is of the reference BMI. Values above 100% indicate higher than reference, below 100% indicate lower.

3. Importance of BMI Percentage

Details: BMI percentage provides a relative measure of body mass compared to a standard, useful for tracking progress in weight management programs and assessing nutritional status.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your current BMI and a reference BMI (default is 22 kg/m², considered the middle of the "normal" range). Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What reference BMI should I use?
A: The default 22 kg/m² is often used as it's the midpoint of the normal range (18.5-24.9). You might use different references for specific populations.

Q2: How to interpret BMI percentage?
A: 100% = equal to reference, >100% = above reference, <100% = below reference. Extreme values may indicate underweight or obesity.

Q3: Is this different from BMI percentile for children?
A: Yes, BMI percentage compares to a fixed reference, while percentile compares to age- and sex-specific growth charts.

Q4: What are limitations of BMI percentage?
A: Like BMI, it doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution. Always consider additional health metrics.

Q5: Can this be used for athletes?
A: With caution, as athletes may have high BMI due to muscle mass rather than fat. Additional body composition measures are recommended.