1. What is BMI in Children?

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to children and teens. For children, 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, the raw BMI value must be plotted on age- and gender-specific growth charts to determine the BMI percentile.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation in Kids

Details: BMI-for-age is the recommended measure for screening overweight and obesity in children aged 2-20 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 (2-20), and select gender. For accurate results, measurements should be taken with proper equipment.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: What are the BMI categories for children?
A: Based on CDC growth charts: Underweight (<5th %ile), Healthy weight (5th-85th %ile), Overweight (85th-95th %ile), Obese (≥95th %ile).

Q3: How often should children's BMI be checked?
A: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends BMI screening annually for all children aged 2+ years.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI in children?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle mass. Very muscular children may have high BMI without excess fat.

Q5: Where can I plot my child's BMI percentile?
A: The CDC provides growth charts (available online) where you can plot your child's BMI based on age and gender.