1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, overweight and obesity in adults. It is defined as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: 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.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a simple, inexpensive, and noninvasive surrogate measure of body fat. While not a direct measure of body fat, BMI correlates moderately well with more direct measures of body fat.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For accurate results, measure height without shoes and weight in light clothing.

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: Are there limitations to BMI?
A: BMI doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, overall body composition, or racial/sex differences.

Q3: Is BMI accurate for athletes?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and others with muscular builds as muscle weighs more than fat.

Q4: Is BMI different for children?
A: Yes, BMI for children is age and sex-specific and is referred to as BMI-for-age.

Q5: What's a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy, though optimal may vary by individual.