1. What is BMI-for-Age?

BMI-for-age is the measure used to assess weight status in children and teens aged 2-19 years. Unlike adults, children's BMI must be interpreted relative to other children of the same age and sex using CDC 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

Note: For children, the numeric BMI value must be plotted on CDC growth charts to determine the corresponding percentile.

3. Importance of BMI-for-Age

Details: BMI-for-age is the recommended screening tool for overweight and obesity in children. 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 interpreted differently for children?
A: Children's body composition varies by age and sex as they grow, so BMI must be compared to peers of the same age and sex.

Q2: What do the percentile ranges mean?
A: Underweight (<5th), Healthy weight (5th-85th), Overweight (85th-95th), Obese (≥95th percentile).

Q3: Is BMI-for-age perfect?
A: No, it's a screening tool. Some muscular children may have high BMI without excess fat. Healthcare providers do further assessment.

Q4: What if my child is under 2 years old?
A: Use weight-for-length charts instead of BMI-for-age for infants and toddlers under 2.

Q5: Where can I find CDC growth charts?
A: CDC growth charts are available at https://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/.