1. What is BMI-for-age?

BMI-for-age is the measure used to assess weight in relation to height and age for children and teens. It provides a reference for comparing a child's BMI with other children of the same age and sex.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

For children and teens: The BMI result is compared with CDC growth charts to determine the percentile ranking based on age and sex.

3. Importance of BMI Percentile

Details: BMI-for-age percentile shows how a child's measurements compare with others the same sex and age. This helps identify potential weight problems that might lead to health issues.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kg, height in meters, age in years (2-19), and select gender. For accurate results, measurements should be taken with proper equipment.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: Why use BMI-for-age instead of regular BMI?
A: Children's body composition changes as they grow, so age and sex must be considered.

Q3: How often should children's BMI be checked?
A: Annually for most children, more frequently if weight concerns exist.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI-for-age?
A: It doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle mass, and may not be accurate for very muscular children.

Q5: Where can I find CDC growth charts?
A: CDC growth charts are available on the CDC website for clinical reference.