1. What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women. It provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness, allowing health professionals to discuss weight problems objectively with their patients.

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: The formula divides a person's weight by the square of their height to produce a value that can be categorized as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a simple, inexpensive screening tool for weight categories that may lead to health problems. While it doesn't measure body fat directly, research has shown BMI correlates with more direct measures of body fat.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, and optionally age. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). For most accurate results, measure weight in the morning before eating and after using the bathroom.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the BMI categories?
A: Underweight (BMI < 18.5), Normal weight (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obese (≥30).

Q2: Is BMI different for women and men?
A: The calculation is the same, but women tend to have more body fat than men at the same BMI.

Q3: How does age affect BMI?
A: Older adults may have different healthy BMI ranges due to changes in body composition.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so athletes may have high BMI without excess fat.

Q5: Should BMI be used alone for health assessment?
A: No, it should be used along with other measurements like waist circumference and body composition.