1. What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

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 objectively with their patients.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The calculation adjusts the weight for height squared, providing a standardized measure of body size.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems but is not diagnostic of body fatness or health. It's a quick screening tool for weight categories.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, age in years, and select gender. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0, age between 0-120).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: How does BMI interpretation differ for children?
A: For children, BMI is age and gender-specific and interpreted using percentile charts rather than fixed categories.

Q3: What are limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass, so athletes may have high BMI without excess fat, and older adults may have normal BMI but reduced muscle mass.

Q4: Should BMI be interpreted differently by gender?
A: Women tend to have more body fat than men at the same BMI, but standard categories apply to both genders.

Q5: How often should BMI be checked?
A: For adults, annual checks are sufficient unless there are significant weight changes. Children should be monitored more frequently during growth periods.