1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women. It is a simple and widely used screening tool to identify weight categories that may lead to health problems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

• \( weight_{kg} \) — Weight in kilograms
• \( height_{cm} \) — Height in centimeters

Explanation: The formula converts height from centimeters to meters (dividing by 100) and then calculates the ratio of weight to height squared.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI provides a quick assessment of whether a person has a healthy body weight for their height. It helps identify potential health risks associated with being underweight, overweight, or obese.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. Both values must be positive numbers. For accurate results, measure weight and height without shoes and 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: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may not accurately reflect body fat in athletes, elderly, or those with high muscle mass as it doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat.

Q3: Can children use this calculator?
A: This calculator is designed for adults. Children and teens require age and sex-specific BMI percentiles.

Q4: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, overall body composition, or racial and sex differences.

Q5: How often should I check my BMI?
A: For most adults, checking every 3-6 months is sufficient unless you're actively trying to change your weight.