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 is a simple and widely used method to categorize individuals according to their body composition.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the BMI formula:

Where:

• \( weight_{kg} \) — Weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( height_{m} \) — Height in meters (m)

Explanation: The formula calculates body mass index by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. It helps identify underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity levels in adults.

4. Using the Calculator

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

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: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may not be accurate for athletes with high muscle mass, pregnant women, children, and the elderly as it doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat.

Q3: How often should I check my BMI?
A: For general health monitoring, checking every 3-6 months is sufficient unless advised otherwise by a healthcare provider.

Q4: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, overall body composition, and racial and sex differences.

Q5: Should BMI be used alone for health assessment?
A: No, BMI should be used as a screening tool along with other measurements like waist circumference, body fat percentage, and overall health assessment.