1. What is Corpulence Index?

The Corpulence Index (also known as Ponderal Index) is a measure of leanness or corpulence of a person calculated as a relationship between mass and height. It is similar to the body mass index but differs in the power of height in the denominator.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Corpulence Index formula:

Where:

• \( Weight \) — Body weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( Height \) — Height in meters (m)

Explanation: The Corpulence Index provides a measure of body mass relative to height cubed, offering an alternative to BMI for assessing body composition.

3. Importance of CI Calculation

Details: The Corpulence Index is used in various health assessments and research studies to evaluate body proportionality and nutritional status, particularly in pediatric and anthropological studies.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is Corpulence Index different from BMI?
A: While BMI uses height squared (kg/m²), Corpulence Index uses height cubed (kg/m³), which some researchers believe provides a better measure of body proportionality.

Q2: What are normal CI values?
A: Normal CI values typically range between 11-14 kg/m³ for adults, though this can vary based on age, gender, and population.

Q3: When is Corpulence Index particularly useful?
A: CI is often used in neonatal and pediatric assessments, as well as in anthropological studies comparing different populations.

Q4: Are there limitations to using Corpulence Index?
A: Like BMI, CI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass, and may not be accurate for very athletic individuals or those with unusual body proportions.

Q5: How does CI relate to health risks?
A: Extremely high or low CI values may indicate increased health risks, similar to BMI, but specific risk thresholds are less established than for BMI.