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 provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness, allowing health professionals to discuss weight problems more objectively with their patients.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Body weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( height \) — 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 a simple, inexpensive screening method for weight category—underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity. It helps identify potential weight problems that may lead to health issues.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). The calculator will provide your BMI value, category, and body shape assessment.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the BMI categories?
A: Underweight (BMI < 18.5), Normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9), Overweight (BMI 25-29.9), and Obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Q2: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and those with muscular build, and underestimate body fat in older persons who have lost muscle mass.

Q3: How does BMI relate to body shape?
A: Different BMI categories often correlate with different body shapes - thin/ectomorph (underweight), healthy/mesomorph (normal), and apple/endomorph (overweight/obesity).

Q4: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, this calculator is for adults only. Children and teens need age- and sex-specific percentile calculations.

Q5: What's the limitation of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle mass, so it may not accurately reflect body composition for very muscular individuals or those with low muscle mass.