1. What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

Definition: BMI is a numerical value calculated from a person's weight and height that provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people.

Purpose: It's used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems but is not diagnostic of body fatness or health.

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: Weight in kilograms is divided by the square of height in meters.

3. BMI Categories

Standard Categories:

• Underweight: BMI < 18.5
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5-24.9
• Overweight: BMI 25-29.9
• Obesity: BMI ≥ 30

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your weight in kilograms and height in meters. For pounds and inches, convert first (1 kg = 2.2 lbs, 1 m = 39.37 inches).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is BMI important?
A: BMI provides a simple numeric measure to help identify potential weight problems in adults.

Q2: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and underestimate it in older people who have lost muscle mass.

Q3: How do I convert pounds to kilograms?
A: Divide pounds by 2.205 (e.g., 150 lbs ÷ 2.205 = 68 kg).

Q4: How do I convert feet/inches to meters?
A: Multiply feet by 0.3048 and inches by 0.0254, then sum (e.g., 5'7" = (5×0.3048) + (7×0.0254) = 1.70 m).

Q5: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, and doesn't account for fat distribution.