1. What is Body Mass Index?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women. It provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

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)
• \( BMI \) — Result in kg/m²

BMI Categories:

• Underweight: BMI < 18.5
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5 - 24.9
• Overweight: BMI 25 - 29.9
• Obese: BMI ≥ 30

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is an important screening tool for identifying potential weight problems in adults. While it doesn't measure body fat directly, research has shown that BMI correlates with more direct measures of body fat.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and others with muscular build, and underestimate body fat in older persons who have lost muscle mass.

Q2: How does age affect BMI interpretation?
A: While BMI categories are the same for all adults, the health risks associated with different BMI levels may vary with age.

Q3: Are there different BMI standards for men and women?
A: The same BMI categories apply to both men and women, though women typically have more body fat than men at the same BMI.

Q4: What is a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy.

Q5: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens require age and gender-specific BMI percentiles rather than the adult categories used here.