1. What is BMI for Children?

BMI-for-age is a screening tool used to identify potential weight problems in children. Unlike adults, BMI values for children are age- and sex-specific because their body composition varies as they grow.

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 calculated BMI is plotted on gender-specific BMI-for-age growth charts to obtain a percentile ranking.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation for Children

Details: BMI-for-age helps identify children who are underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese. Tracking BMI over time can show growth patterns and potential health risks.

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 minimal clothing and no shoes.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What do BMI percentiles mean for children?
A: Below 5th percentile = underweight; 5th-85th = healthy weight; 85th-95th = overweight; 95th+ = obese.

Q2: Why is BMI different for children than adults?
A: Children's body fat changes with age and differs between boys and girls, so BMI must be interpreted relative to other children of the same age and sex.

Q3: How often should children's BMI be checked?
A: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends BMI screening annually from age 2.

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

Q5: Where can I find BMI-for-age growth charts?
A: CDC provides growth charts at https://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/clinical_charts.htm