1. What is Body Mass Index?

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 standard BMI formula:

Where:

• \( Weight \) — Body weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( Height \) — Height in centimeters (cm)

Explanation: The formula converts height from centimeters to meters by dividing by 100, then squares this value to calculate the body surface area.

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. It is used for population assessment of overweight and obesity.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in centimeters. For accurate results, measure weight without heavy clothing and height without shoes. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the standard BMI categories?
A: Underweight: BMI < 18.5, Normal weight: BMI 18.5-24.9, Overweight: BMI 25-29.9, Obesity: BMI ≥ 30.

Q2: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may not be accurate for athletes (high muscle mass), elderly (loss of muscle mass), pregnant women, and children.

Q3: Why use metric units?
A: The standard BMI formula uses metric units. For imperial units, the formula is: BMI = (weight in pounds × 703) / (height in inches)².

Q4: What is a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy and associated with the lowest health risks.

Q5: Should BMI be the only measure of health?
A: No, BMI should be used as a screening tool along with other assessments like waist circumference, body composition, and overall health evaluation.