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BMI Formula:
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Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, overweight and obesity in adults. It is defined as a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters (kg/m²).
The calculator uses the BMI formula:
Where:
Explanation: BMI provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness, allowing health professionals to discuss weight problems more objectively with their patients.
Details: BMI is a simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive surrogate measure of body fat. It helps in assessing health risks associated with underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity. High BMI can indicate high body fatness, which is associated with increased risk of many diseases including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For accurate results, measure weight without heavy clothing and height without shoes. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).
Q1: What are the BMI categories for adults?
A: Underweight (<18.5), Normal weight (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obesity (≥30).
Q2: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may not accurately reflect body fatness in athletes (who may have high muscle mass), the elderly (who may have lost muscle mass), or certain ethnic groups.
Q3: Can BMI be used for children?
A: BMI for children and teens is interpreted differently, using age and sex-specific percentiles rather than the fixed categories used for adults.
Q4: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI does not distinguish between muscle and fat mass, and doesn't account for fat distribution, which can affect health risks.
Q5: Should BMI be the only measure of health?
A: No, BMI should be used as a screening tool along with other assessments like waist circumference, diet, physical activity, and family history.