1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adults and children. 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:

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

Note: For children, the BMI number is plotted on the CDC BMI-for-age growth charts to determine a percentile ranking.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation for Children

Details: BMI-for-age is the recommended indicator for screening for overweight and obesity in children and teens. It's a useful tool to identify 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 minimal clothing and no shoes.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is BMI different for children than adults?
A: Children's body composition varies as they grow, and differs between boys and girls. BMI-for-age accounts for these differences.

Q2: What is a healthy BMI for a child?
A: Healthy BMI ranges vary by age and sex. Generally, BMI between the 5th and 85th percentiles is considered healthy.

Q3: How often should my child's BMI be calculated?
A: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends BMI calculation at least annually as part of routine health supervision.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI for children?
A: BMI doesn't directly measure body fat and may misclassify muscular children. It's a screening tool, not a diagnostic.

Q5: Where can I find growth charts?
A: The CDC provides BMI-for-age growth charts for boys and girls aged 2-20 years on their website.