1. What is BMI for Children?

BMI-for-age is a measure that accounts for a child's age and sex when assessing their weight status. 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 standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Note: For children, this raw BMI value must be plotted on age- and sex-specific growth charts to determine the 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 in Australia and New Zealand. It helps identify potential weight problems that may lead to health issues.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For most accurate results, measure height without shoes and weight with minimal clothing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the BMI categories for children?
A: Unlike adults, children's BMI is assessed using percentile ranges: Underweight (<5th), Healthy weight (5th-85th), Overweight (85th-95th), Obese (≥95th).

Q2: Where can I find growth charts?
A: The Australian Government Department of Health and New Zealand Ministry of Health provide BMI-for-age growth charts.

Q3: Is BMI accurate for all children?
A: BMI is a screening tool but may not reflect body fatness in very muscular children or those with certain medical conditions.

Q4: How often should BMI be checked?
A: Annual checks are recommended for children aged 2-18 years as part of routine health assessments.

Q5: What if my child's BMI is high?
A: Consult a healthcare professional for further assessment - they may consider additional measures like waist circumference.