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 is a simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive method to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula with waist circumference adjustment:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Body weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( height \) — Height in meters (m)
• \( Body Fat Adjustment \) — Additional factor based on waist circumference

Explanation: The standard BMI calculation is enhanced with waist circumference measurements to provide a more accurate assessment of body composition and health risk.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is widely used as a screening tool to identify possible weight problems in adults. It helps assess the risk of developing health issues associated with being underweight, overweight, or obese.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, and optional waist circumference in centimeters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

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: Why include waist circumference?
A: Waist circumference helps assess abdominal fat, which is a better indicator of health risks than BMI alone.

Q3: Is BMI accurate for athletes?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and others with muscular build, as it doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass.

Q4: What are healthy waist measurements?
A: For men: <94 cm (low risk), 94-102 cm (increased risk), >102 cm (high risk). For women: <80 cm (low risk), 80-88 cm (increased risk), >88 cm (high risk).

Q5: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, this calculator is for adults only. Children and teens require age and sex-specific BMI percentiles.