1. What is BMI for Children?

BMI (Body Mass Index) for children is a measure that adjusts weight for height, age, and sex. Unlike adult BMI, child 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 adjusted for children:

Where:

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

Explanation: The result is then compared to growth charts specific to the child's age and gender to determine the percentile.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI-for-age is the recommended measure for screening overweight and obesity in children and teens. It helps identify potential weight problems that may lead to health issues.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, age in years (2-19), and select gender. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0, age between 2-19).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is child BMI different from adult BMI?
A: Children's body composition varies as they grow, so BMI must be interpreted relative to other children of the same age and sex.

Q2: What do the percentile ranges mean?
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 American Academy of Pediatrics recommends BMI screening at least annually for all children 2 years and older.

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

Q5: What if my child's BMI is high?
A: Consult a healthcare provider who can perform additional assessments and provide guidance.