1. What is BMI?

Definition: Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure that uses your height and weight to determine if your weight is healthy.

Purpose: It helps healthcare professionals assess whether patients are underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.

2. How Does the BMI Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: Your weight in kilograms is divided by the square of your height in meters.

3. BMI Categories

Details:

• Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9
• Overweight: BMI 25 to 29.9
• Obese: BMI 30 or greater

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 is a useful screening tool but doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or body composition.

Q2: How do I convert pounds to kilograms?
A: 1 pound = 0.453592 kilograms. Multiply your weight in pounds by 0.45 to get kilograms.

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

Q4: What's a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy.

Q5: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific BMI calculations.