1. What is BMI for Children?

BMI (Body Mass Index) for children and teens is calculated the same way as for adults, but the interpretation is different. For children, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age. The CDC provides growth charts to determine a child's BMI percentile.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Body weight in kilograms
• \( height \) — Height in meters

Note: While the calculation is the same for all ages, interpretation for children requires comparing the result to CDC growth charts based on age and sex.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI-for-age is the recommended indicator for screening overweight and obesity in children and teens. It's a reliable indicator of body fatness for most children, though it doesn't measure body fat directly.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, and age in years (2-19 years). For accurate results, measurements should be taken with minimal clothing and no shoes.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is BMI interpreted differently for children?
A: Children's body composition varies as they grow, and BMI changes with age. The CDC growth charts account for these normal variations.

Q2: What are the BMI categories for children?
A: Underweight (<5th percentile), Healthy weight (5th-85th), Overweight (85th-95th), Obese (≥95th percentile).

Q3: How often should children's BMI be checked?
A: The AAP recommends BMI screening annually for all children 2 years and older.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI for children?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in muscular children and may not detect increased body fat in some children with a normal BMI.

Q5: Where can I find CDC growth charts?
A: CDC growth charts are available at https://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/