1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, overweight and obesity in adults. It is defined as a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters (kg/m²).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the BMI formula:

Classification:

• 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 provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness, allowing health professionals to discuss weight problems more objectively with their patients.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may not be accurate for athletes (who may have high muscle mass), elderly (who may have lost muscle mass), or certain ethnic groups.

Q2: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so it may not accurately reflect body fat percentage in some individuals.

Q3: Should children use the same BMI categories?
A: No, children and teens need age and sex-specific BMI percentiles because their body composition varies as they grow.

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

Q5: Can BMI predict health risks?
A: While BMI is a useful screening tool, it should be used alongside other measurements (waist circumference, blood tests) for a complete health assessment.