1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. For adult females, it provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Weight in pounds (lbs)
• \( height \) — Height in inches
• 703 — Conversion factor for imperial units

Explanation: The formula divides weight by the square of height to account for the fact that weight increases with the square of height.

3. BMI Categories

For adult females:

• 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 weight in pounds and height in inches. Measure height without shoes and weight in light clothing for most accurate results.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is BMI different for females than males?
A: The calculation is the same, but interpretation may differ slightly as women typically have higher body fat percentages at the same BMI.

Q2: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so muscular individuals may have high BMI without excess fat. It also doesn't account for fat distribution.

Q3: Is BMI accurate during pregnancy?
A: No, BMI calculations should not be used during pregnancy as weight gain is expected and necessary.

Q4: What's a healthy BMI range for adult women?
A: Generally 18.5-24.9, though individual factors like muscle mass and frame size should be considered.

Q5: Should older women use the same BMI ranges?
A: Slightly higher BMI (up to 27) may be acceptable for women over 65 as some extra weight can be protective against osteoporosis.