1. What is BMI?

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measure that uses height and weight to estimate body fat. For children and teens, 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:

• \( weight \) — Weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( height \) — Height in meters (m)

Explanation: The result is interpreted differently for children based on age and sex-specific growth charts.

3. Importance of BMI for Children

Details: BMI-for-age is the recommended measure for assessing weight status 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, and age in years. 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?
A: Children's body composition varies with age and sex, so BMI must be interpreted relative to other children of the same age and sex.

Q2: What are healthy BMI ranges for children?
A: Healthy ranges vary by age and sex. Generally between the 5th and 85th percentiles on growth charts.

Q3: When should I be concerned about my child's BMI?
A: If BMI is below 5th percentile (underweight) or above 85th percentile (overweight), consult a healthcare provider.

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

Q5: Where can I find official growth charts?
A: The Australian Government Department of Health provides BMI-for-age growth charts for clinical use.