1. What is Body Mass Index (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 reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the BMI formula for pounds and inches:

Where:

• \( peso\_lb \) — Weight in pounds (lb)
• \( altura\_in \) — Height in inches (in)
• 703 — Conversion factor for imperial units

Explanation: The formula calculates the ratio of weight to height squared, providing a standardized measure of body composition.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is widely used in clinical practice and public health as a simple, inexpensive screening tool for weight categories - underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in pounds and height in inches. Ensure accurate measurements for reliable results. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the BMI categories?
A: Underweight: <18.5, Normal: 18.5-24.9, Overweight: 25-29.9, Obesity: ≥30

Q2: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and underestimate it in older persons who have lost muscle mass.

Q3: Why use 703 as conversion factor?
A: 703 is the conversion factor needed when using pounds and inches instead of kilograms and meters.

Q4: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens require age and sex-specific BMI percentiles rather than adult categories.

Q5: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle mass, and doesn't account for fat distribution or ethnic differences.