BMI Formula:
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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. BMI is a screening tool that may indicate whether a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.
The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:
Where:
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.
Details: BMI is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems but it is not diagnostic of body fatness or health. It's a quick and easy method for population assessment of weight status.
Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height in centimeters, divide by 100 (e.g., 175 cm = 1.75 m). All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).
Q1: What are the BMI categories?
A: Underweight (BMI < 18.5), Normal weight (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), and Obese (≥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: What is a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy, though this may vary by ethnicity and other factors.
Q4: Should children use the same BMI categories?
A: No, children's BMI is interpreted using age- and sex-specific percentiles rather than fixed categories.
Q5: What are alternatives to BMI?
A: Waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and body fat percentage measurements may provide additional information.