1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a value derived from the mass and height of a person. It provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness, allowing health professionals to discuss weight problems more objectively with their patients.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula calculates body mass per unit of height squared, adjusted with a conversion factor for imperial units.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

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

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in pounds and height in inches. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). For most accurate results, measure height without shoes and weight with minimal clothing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy BMI range?
A: For adults: Underweight (<18.5), Normal (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obese (≥30).

Q2: Does BMI apply to everyone?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and underestimate it in older persons who have lost muscle mass.

Q3: Why is BMI calculated differently for children?
A: Children's body composition varies by age and sex, so BMI-for-age percentiles are used instead of fixed categories.

Q4: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass, and doesn't account for fat distribution which affects health risks.

Q5: Should BMI be the only measure of healthy weight?
A: No, waist circumference and other risk factors should also be considered for a complete assessment.