1. What is BMI for 14-Year-Olds?

BMI (Body Mass Index) for 14-year-olds is a measure that adjusts weight for height. For children and teens, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age. It's used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Note: For 14-year-olds, the resulting BMI value should be compared to age- and sex-specific percentiles rather than adult BMI categories.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is an inexpensive screening tool for weight categories that may lead to health problems. For children and teens, it's particularly important for tracking growth patterns over time.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, and select gender. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0). Remember this provides a screening result, not a diagnosis.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are healthy BMI ranges for 14-year-olds?
A: Healthy ranges vary by gender. Generally, between 5th and 85th percentiles on CDC growth charts is considered healthy weight.

Q2: Why is BMI different for teens than adults?
A: Children's body composition varies by age and sex as they grow, so BMI must be interpreted relative to other children of the same age and sex.

Q3: When should I be concerned about my teen's BMI?
A: Consult a healthcare provider if BMI is below 5th percentile (underweight) or above 85th percentile (overweight/obese).

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI for teens?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so athletic teens may have higher BMI without excess fat. It's just one screening tool among many.

Q5: How often should BMI be checked?
A: Annual checks are typically sufficient unless recommended more frequently by a healthcare provider.