1. What is BMI-for-age?

BMI-for-age is a measure that takes into account a child's age and sex when assessing their body mass index. For children and teens, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age because their body composition varies as they grow.

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 BMI number is plotted on CDC growth charts to determine the corresponding BMI-for-age percentile.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation for Kids

Details: BMI-for-age is the recommended measure for screening overweight and obesity in children aged 2-19 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 (2-19), and select gender. 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 changes as they grow, and differs between boys and girls. BMI-for-age accounts for these differences.

Q2: What is a healthy BMI for my child?
A: Healthy weight is between the 5th and 85th percentiles on CDC growth charts. Your pediatrician can provide the exact percentile.

Q3: How often should my child's BMI be checked?
A: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends BMI screening annually from age 2.

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

Q5: What if my child's BMI is high?
A: Consult your pediatrician. They may assess diet, activity levels, family history, and other measurements like waist circumference.