1. What is BMI for Children?

BMI (Body Mass Index) for children is a measure that takes into account a child's age and sex in addition to height and weight. Unlike adults, children's 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 then 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. 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 (2-18), 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 varies by age and sex, so their BMI needs to be compared against growth charts specific to their age and gender.

Q2: What do the BMI percentiles mean?
A: Underweight (<5th), Healthy weight (5th-85th), Overweight (85th-95th), Obese (≥95th). Exact classifications may vary.

Q3: When should I be concerned about my child's BMI?
A: Consult a healthcare provider if your child is below 5th percentile or above 85th percentile consistently.

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: Where can I find the growth charts?
A: The NHS and CDC provide BMI-for-age growth charts for boys and girls aged 2-18 years.