1. What is BMI for Children and Teens?

BMI for children and teens is age- and sex-specific because their body composition varies as they age and differs between boys and girls. CDC BMI-for-age growth charts are used to interpret the BMI number.

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 and teens, the BMI number is plotted on CDC growth charts to determine the BMI-for-age percentile.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI screening for children and teens can identify possible weight problems, but it's not a diagnostic tool. Further assessments are needed to determine if excess fat is a problem.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, 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: Why is BMI different for children than adults?
A: Children's body composition changes as they grow, so BMI must be compared against growth charts specific to their age and sex.

Q2: What BMI percentile indicates overweight?
A: Generally, 85th to 94th percentile = overweight; 95th percentile or higher = obesity.

Q3: How often should children's BMI be checked?
A: The AAP recommends BMI screening at least annually for all children and adolescents.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI for children?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle mass, and may not be accurate for very muscular teens or those with certain medical conditions.

Q5: Where can I find CDC growth charts?
A: CDC growth charts are available on the CDC website for clinical use in tracking growth patterns.