1. What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a value derived from the mass and height of a person. It provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness, allowing health professionals to discuss weight problems objectively with their patients.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The BMI calculation divides an adult's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is used to categorize whether a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese based on tissue mass (muscle, fat, and bone) and height.

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: 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 overestimate body fat in athletes and underestimate it in older persons who have lost muscle mass.

Q3: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, and doesn't account for fat distribution.

Q4: Should children use the same BMI categories?
A: No, children's BMI is interpreted relative to growth charts for their age and sex.

Q5: What's a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy.