1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity in 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

Explanation: The result is then compared to age- and sex-specific percentile charts to determine the weight status category.

3. Importance of BMI for Children

Details: BMI is an important screening tool for potential weight problems in children. It helps identify children who are underweight, overweight, or at risk of becoming overweight.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, age in years (2-18), 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 with age and between sexes, so BMI must be interpreted relative to other children of the same age and sex.

Q2: What are the BMI percentile categories for children?
A: Underweight (<5th percentile), Healthy weight (5th-85th percentile), Overweight (85th-95th percentile), Obese (≥95th percentile).

Q3: How often should my child's BMI be checked?
A: Annual BMI checks are recommended for children aged 2 years and older as part of routine health supervision.

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

Q5: Where can I find Indian-specific BMI growth charts?
A: The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) provides growth charts specifically for Indian children.