1. What is BMI-for-age?

BMI-for-age is a measure that accounts for a child's age and sex when assessing their body mass index. 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

Explanation: The result is then plotted on CDC growth charts to determine the BMI percentile for the child's age and sex.

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. For most accurate results, measure height and weight using standardized methods.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: Why use BMI-for-age instead of regular BMI?
A: Children's body composition varies by age and sex, so BMI must be interpreted relative to others of the same age and sex.

Q3: How often should BMI be calculated for children?
A: The AAP recommends BMI screening annually starting at age 2.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI-for-age?
A: It doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle mass, and may be less 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 at https://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/