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. 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
• \( height \) — Height in meters

Explanation: For children, the BMI number is plotted on growth charts to determine a percentile ranking based on age and gender.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI-for-age helps identify children who are underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese. Early identification allows for timely intervention.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kg, height in meters, age in years (2-18), select gender and country standard. Measurements should be accurate for proper interpretation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are there different standards for UK and Australia?
A: While the BMI calculation is the same, growth charts may vary slightly between countries due to population differences.

Q2: What BMI percentile indicates a problem?
A: Generally, <5th percentile is underweight, 85th-95th is overweight, and >95th is obese, but consult a healthcare professional.

Q3: How often should children's BMI be checked?
A: Annual checks are typically recommended unless there are specific concerns.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI for children?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so athletic children may have higher BMIs without excess fat.

Q5: Where can I find official growth charts?
A: Both UK and Australia have government health websites with official growth charts for clinical use.