1. What is BMI for Children?

BMI (Body Mass Index) for children is a measure that adjusts for age and gender. Unlike adults, children's body fatness changes as they grow, so BMI for children is compared to growth charts for children of the same age and sex.

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 a growth chart to determine the BMI-for-age percentile.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI-for-age is the recommended measure for screening overweight and obesity in children aged 2-18 years. 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 (2-18), and select gender. For accurate results, measurements should be taken with minimal clothing and no shoes.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is children's BMI different from adults?
A: Children's BMI is age- and sex-specific and is interpreted using growth charts rather than fixed thresholds.

Q2: What BMI percentile indicates overweight?
A: Generally, ≥85th percentile is overweight and ≥95th percentile is obese, but consult healthcare providers for precise assessment.

Q3: When should BMI be measured in children?
A: Routine BMI screening is recommended annually for children aged 2 years and older.

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 growth charts?
A: The NHS and CDC provide growth charts for interpreting BMI-for-age results.