1. What is BMI for Children?

BMI (Body Mass Index) for children is a measure that adjusts for age and gender, as children's body composition varies as they grow. In Australia, BMI-for-age percentiles are used to assess whether a child has a healthy weight.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: For children, the BMI value is plotted on gender-specific growth charts to determine the percentile, which indicates how the child's BMI compares to others of the same age and gender.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI-for-age is an important screening tool for potential weight problems in children. It helps identify underweight, healthy weight, overweight and obesity in children aged 2-18 years.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, age in years (2-18), and select gender. For accurate results, measurements should be taken with minimal clothing and no shoes.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What do the percentile ranges mean?
A: Below 5th percentile (underweight), 5th to 85th (healthy weight), 85th to 95th (overweight), above 95th (obese).

Q2: How often should children's BMI be checked?
A: Australian guidelines recommend annual checks for children aged 2-18 years.

Q3: Are there limitations to BMI for children?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so athletic children may have higher BMI without excess fat.

Q4: Where can I find Australian growth charts?
A: The Australian Government Department of Health provides gender-specific BMI-for-age growth charts.

Q5: What if my child's BMI is outside the healthy range?
A: Consult with a healthcare professional for further assessment and guidance.