1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a value derived from the mass and height of a person. For children and teens, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The BMI calculation provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems but it is not a diagnostic tool. For children and teens, BMI is age- and sex-specific.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy BMI range for children?
A: Healthy BMI ranges for children are age- and sex-specific and are typically shown on growth charts.

Q2: How often should BMI be calculated for children?
A: Pediatricians typically calculate BMI at all routine check-ups starting at age 2.

Q3: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't directly measure body fat and doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or overall body composition.

Q4: How is BMI different for children vs adults?
A: For children, BMI is plotted on growth charts to determine percentile for age and sex, rather than using fixed categories.

Q5: Should BMI be the only measure of a child's health?
A: No, BMI should be considered alongside other measurements and assessments by a healthcare provider.