What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely-used screening tool that estimates whether a person has a healthy body weight for a given height. By simply inputting your height and weight, the BMI calculator provides a mathematical calculation that helps categorize your weight into standard brackets: Underweight, Normal, Overweight, and Obese. While it doesn't directly measure body fat, it correlates strongly with more direct measures of body fat.
How is BMI Calculated?
The universal formula for calculating BMI is simple. If you are using the metric system, you divide your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared (kg/m²). For the imperial system, you divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared, and multiply by 703.
Limitations of the BMI Calculator
It is important to remember that BMI is an estimate, not a diagnostic tool. The calculator does not account for muscle mass, bone density, overall body composition, or racial and sex differences. For example, athletes with high muscle mass may have a high BMI but very low body fat. Always consult with a healthcare professional to get a complete picture of your metabolic and cardiovascular health.