1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure that uses height and weight to estimate body fat. For children and teens, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age. This calculator is specifically designed for girls aged 2-18 in Australia.

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 and teens, BMI is interpreted using age- and sex-specific percentiles rather than the standard categories used for adults.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is an important screening tool to identify potential weight problems in children and teens. However, it's not a diagnostic tool and should be followed up with further assessments.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, and age in years. For accurate results, measurements should be taken with minimal clothing and no shoes.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is BMI different for children than adults?
A: Children's body composition varies as they grow, so BMI must be interpreted relative to other children of the same age and sex.

Q2: What is a healthy BMI range for Australian girls?
A: Healthy ranges vary by age. Generally, between the 5th and 85th percentiles is considered healthy weight.

Q3: How often should BMI be checked in children?
A: The Australian guidelines recommend BMI assessment at least annually as part of routine health checks.

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

Q5: Where can I find BMI percentile charts for Australian children?
A: The Australian Government Department of Health provides growth charts including BMI-for-age percentiles.