1. What is BMI?

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. This calculator uses the imperial formula with pounds and inches.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the BMI formula:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Weight in pounds (lbs)
• \( height \) — Height in inches (in)
• \( 703 \) — Conversion factor (kg/m² to lbs/in²)

Explanation: BMI provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness, allowing health professionals to discuss weight problems objectively.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a screening tool to identify possible weight problems in adults. While it doesn't measure body fat directly, research has shown BMI correlates with more direct measures of body fat.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in pounds and height in inches. For accurate results, measure weight without heavy clothing and height without shoes.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

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

Q3: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific percentiles rather than the adult categories.

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

Q5: Are there better measures than BMI?
A: Waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and body fat percentage may provide additional information.