1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women. It provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the BMI equation:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Weight in pounds (lb)
• \( height \) — Height in inches (in)
• \( 703 \) — Conversion factor
• \( gender\ factor \) — Adjustment factor (typically 1.0 for women)

Explanation: The equation converts pounds and inches to the standard kg/m² units used for BMI measurement, with an optional gender adjustment factor.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is widely used as a screening tool to identify possible weight problems in adults. It can indicate whether a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in pounds, height in inches, and gender factor (typically 1.0 for women). All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0, gender factor > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy BMI range?
A: For adults, 18.5-24.9 is considered normal weight, below 18.5 is underweight, 25-29.9 is overweight, and 30+ is obese.

Q2: Why use a gender factor?
A: Some calculations adjust BMI slightly based on gender differences in body composition. For women, this is typically 1.0.

Q3: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so athletes may have high BMI without excess fat. It also doesn't account for fat distribution.

Q4: Is BMI different for children?
A: Yes, children's BMI is age- and sex-specific and is interpreted using percentile charts rather than fixed categories.

Q5: Should BMI be the only measure of health?
A: No, BMI should be considered alongside other measures like waist circumference, diet, physical activity, and family history.