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. Our calculator uses the imperial formula adjusted for pounds and inches.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula adjusted for imperial units:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Body 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

Details: BMI is a screening tool to identify possible weight problems for adults. It's not diagnostic but can indicate whether further assessment is needed.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in pounds and height in inches. For most accurate results, measure weight in the morning before eating and after using the bathroom.

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 people who have lost muscle mass.

Q3: Why use BMI if it's not perfect?
A: It's a simple, inexpensive screening method that correlates with more direct measures of body fat.

Q4: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children need BMI-for-age percentiles that account for growth patterns and sex differences.

Q5: What's better than BMI?
A: More precise measures include skinfold thickness, DEXA scans, or underwater weighing, but these require special equipment.