1. What is BMI for Children?

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a screening tool for weight categories in children and teens. For children, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age. The CDC categories are based on growth charts.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The result is compared against CDC growth charts for children of the same age and sex to determine the weight category.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI-for-age is the recommended screening measure for overweight and obesity in children and teens. It helps identify potential weight problems that may lead to health issues.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, age in years (2-19), and select gender. For accurate results, measurements should be taken by a healthcare professional.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is BMI different for children than adults?
A: Children's body composition varies by age and sex, so BMI must be interpreted relative to other children of the same age and sex.

Q2: What are the CDC BMI categories for children?
A: Underweight (<5th percentile), Healthy weight (5th-85th percentile), Overweight (85th-95th percentile), Obese (≥95th percentile).

Q3: How often should children's BMI be checked?
A: The AAP recommends BMI screening annually starting at age 2.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI for children?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle mass. Athletic children may have high BMI without excess fat.

Q5: Where can I find CDC growth charts?
A: CDC growth charts are available on the CDC website and are used by pediatricians to plot BMI-for-age.