BMI Formula:
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Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight. The formula is BMI = kg/m² where kg is a person's weight in kilograms and m² is their height in meters squared.
The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:
Where:
Note for Athletes: BMI may overestimate body fat in muscular individuals as it doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass.
Standard BMI Categories:
Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For accuracy, measure height without shoes and weight with minimal clothing.
Q1: Why is BMI less accurate for athletes?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat. Athletes often have higher muscle mass which increases weight disproportionately to height.
Q2: What alternatives exist for athletes?
A: Body fat percentage measurements (skin fold tests, DEXA scans, BIA) provide better assessment for muscular individuals.
Q3: Should athletes ignore BMI?
A: Not entirely. It's still a useful screening tool, but should be interpreted with other measurements for athletes.
Q4: What's a healthy BMI range for athletes?
A: Many athletes fall in the 22-27 range, which might be considered "overweight" by standard charts but is healthy for them.
Q5: How often should athletes check BMI?
A: Regular monitoring isn't necessary unless tracking significant weight changes. Focus more on performance metrics.