BMI Calculator

JIALIN ZHAO

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The Problem

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely used indicator of body fat, but calculating it can be confusing.

  • Quick screening tool for weight-related health risks
  • Often confusing for non-medical users
  • Manual calculation requires formulas and unit conversions

Our solution: A simple, interactive BMI calculator built with Shiny.

How the App Works

The app takes two inputs and instantly computes BMI.

  • Weight (in kilograms)
  • Height (in centimeters)

The formula used is:

BMI = weight (kg) / (height (m))²

The result is displayed with a category (Underweight, Normal, Overweight, Obese).

Live Demo

Try the app here: https://adlinehaha.shinyapps.io/bmi_calculator/

The app features:

  • Clean sidebar layout with numeric inputs
  • A Calculate BMI button to trigger computation
  • Instant display of BMI value and category
  • A reference table of WHO BMI categories

Example: For a person weighing 70 kg and 170 cm tall, BMI = 24.2.

BMI for different weights at 1.70 m height
Weight_kg BMI Category
50 17.3 Underweight
60 20.8 Normal
70 24.2 Normal
80 27.7 Overweight
90 31.1 Obese

Why It Matters & What’s Next

Why this app is useful:

  • Accessible: No medical background needed
  • Fast: Instant results with a single click
  • Educational: Includes a reference table for context

Future improvements:

  • Add weight unit options (lbs)
  • Include BMI-for-age for children
  • Add trend tracking over time

Thank you!