1. What is BMI?

Definition: Body Mass Index (BMI) is a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters.

Purpose: BMI is a screening tool that may indicate whether a person is underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( BMI \) — Body Mass Index (kg/m²)
• \( W \) — Weight (kilograms)
• \( H \) — Height (meters)

Explanation: The weight is divided by the square of height to calculate the body mass index.

3. BMI Categories for Adults (CDC Standards)

• Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
• Healthy weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9
• Overweight: BMI 25 to 29.9
• Obesity: BMI 30 or higher

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your weight in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may not accurately reflect body fat in athletes (high muscle mass) or older adults (muscle loss).

Q2: How do I convert pounds to kilograms?
A: 1 pound = 0.453592 kilograms. Multiply pounds by 0.4536 to get kg.

Q3: How do I convert feet/inches to meters?
A: 1 foot = 0.3048 meters, 1 inch = 0.0254 meters. Example: 5'7" = (5×0.3048) + (7×0.0254) = 1.7018 meters.

Q4: Does BMI differ for men and women?
A: The BMI calculation is the same for both, though body composition differs.

Q5: Where can I learn more about BMI?
A: Visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/