1. What is BMI for Children?

BMI-for-age is the screening tool for overweight and obesity in children aged 2-19 years. Unlike adults, children's BMI must be interpreted relative to other children of the same age and sex using growth charts.

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 numeric BMI value must be plotted on a BMI-for-age growth chart to determine the percentile.

3. Importance of BMI for Children

Details: Tracking BMI helps identify potential weight problems in children. High BMI may indicate overweight or obesity, while low BMI may indicate undernutrition.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, age in years (2-19), and select gender. For accurate results, measure height and weight using proper techniques.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is BMI different for children than adults?
A: Children's body composition changes as they grow, so BMI must be compared to others of the same age and sex.

Q2: What are BMI percentiles?
A: Percentiles compare a child's BMI to others of the same age/sex. Below 5th = underweight, 5th-85th = healthy, 85th-95th = overweight, above 95th = obese.

Q3: When should I be concerned about my child's BMI?
A: Consult a pediatrician if your child is below 5th or above 85th percentile, or if there are sudden changes in BMI.

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

Q5: Where can I find growth charts?
A: CDC growth charts are available online and are used by pediatricians to plot BMI-for-age.