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 defined as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (kg/m²).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI equation:

Where:

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

Smart Interpretation: The calculator can provide age and gender adjusted interpretation of BMI results when these additional parameters are provided.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness, allowing health professionals to discuss weight problems more objectively with their patients.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For more accurate interpretation, provide age and gender. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is BMI?
A: BMI is a useful screening tool but has limitations. It doesn't directly measure body fat and doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution.

Q2: What are the standard BMI categories?
A: Underweight (<18.5), Normal (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obesity (≥30). These may vary slightly by ethnicity.

Q3: Does BMI interpretation change with age?
A: Yes, optimal BMI ranges tend to be slightly higher for older adults compared to younger adults.

Q4: Are there better alternatives to BMI?
A: More sophisticated measures like body fat percentage or waist-to-hip ratio may provide better health indicators, but BMI remains widely used due to its simplicity.

Q5: Should athletes use BMI?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in muscular athletes as it doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass.