1. What is BMI for Teenagers?

BMI (Body Mass Index) for teenagers is a measure that adjusts for age and sex, unlike adult BMI. It's used to assess whether a teen has a healthy weight for their height, age, and gender.

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 teens, the raw BMI number must be interpreted using age- and sex-specific percentiles.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI-for-age helps identify teens who are underweight, at healthy weight, overweight, or obese. It's an important screening tool for potential weight-related health problems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kg, height in meters, age (13-19 years), and select gender. For accurate results, measurements should be taken with minimal clothing and no shoes.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What do BMI percentiles mean for teens?
A: Underweight (<5th percentile), Healthy weight (5th-85th), Overweight (85th-95th), Obese (≥95th percentile).

Q2: Why is BMI different for teens than adults?
A: Body composition changes during puberty, so age and sex must be considered for accurate assessment.

Q3: When should BMI be measured?
A: Ideally annually as part of routine health checkups, or more frequently if weight concerns exist.

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

Q5: What should I do if my teen's BMI is concerning?
A: Consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation and personalized advice.