How to read BMI?

WHO values and intervals are designed for the European race and are not suitable for everyone. These limits are age-independent (18-65 years) and are the same for both sexes, based solely on the relationship between BMI and morbidity, and mortality, as evidenced by large-scale studies.

Unfortunately, it does not take into account individual characteristics, the distribution of body fat, and various tissues. The calculator is not suitable for use by athletes. They may have high levels of BMI due to large muscle mass, but this does not pose a risk to their health, unlike people with a high percentage of body fat, especially distributed in the abdominal area.

For children under the age of 18 who have not yet completed their growth, or for adults over the age of 65 who have lost muscle mass with age, the BMI calculator may show a lower value.

Values calculated during pregnancy lactation would also be unrealistic due to the change in the structure of the female body and the different body composition.