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. Unlike adult BMI, children's BMI is interpreted relative to other children of the same age and sex.

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 growth charts specific to the child's age and gender to determine their percentile.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation for Children

Details: BMI-for-age is the most widely used screening tool to identify potential weight problems in children. It helps detect underweight, overweight, and obesity in growing children.

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: What do the BMI percentiles mean?
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 composition varies by age and sex as they grow, so their BMI must be compared to peers.

Q3: How often should children's BMI be checked?
A: Annually is recommended, or more frequently if weight concerns exist.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI-for-age?
A: It doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle mass, so athletic children may be misclassified.

Q5: Where can I find growth charts to interpret the result?
A: CDC growth charts are commonly used (https://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/).