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 provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the BMI formula:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Body weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( height \) — Height in meters (m)

Explanation: The formula calculates body mass index by dividing weight by the square of height. A BMI of 25 or higher indicates overweight status.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI calculation is important for assessing weight categories that may lead to health problems. Being overweight (BMI ≥ 25) increases the risk of various diseases including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). The calculator will determine if you are overweight based on the standard BMI threshold of 25.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is considered a healthy BMI range?
A: A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is generally considered healthy for most adults.

Q2: Are there limitations to using BMI?
A: Yes, BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so athletes with high muscle mass may have high BMI without being overweight.

Q3: Does BMI apply to children and teenagers?
A: BMI calculations for children and teens use age and gender percentiles rather than fixed thresholds.

Q4: What other factors should be considered with BMI?
A: Waist circumference, body composition, and overall health indicators should also be considered for a complete health assessment.

Q5: How often should I check my BMI?
A: Periodic checks (every 3-6 months) can help monitor weight changes, but focus should be on overall health rather than just BMI numbers.