1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure that uses height and weight to work out if weight is healthy. 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:

• \( weight \) — Weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( height \) — Height in meters (m)

Note: For children, the BMI number is plotted on growth charts to determine the BMI percentile which compares the child's BMI to others of the same age and sex.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation for Boys

Details: BMI-for-age is the most common screening tool for assessing weight status in children and teens. It can help identify potential weight problems that may lead to health issues.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kg, height in meters, and age in years. For accurate results, measurements should be taken with minimal clothing and no shoes.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy BMI for boys?
A: Healthy BMI ranges vary by age. Generally, between 5th and 85th percentile is considered healthy weight for age.

Q2: How often should my child's BMI be checked?
A: The NHS recommends BMI checks at least once a year as part of routine health assessments.

Q3: What if my child's BMI is high?
A: Consult your GP or health visitor who can assess growth patterns over time and provide guidance.

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 NHS growth charts?
A: NHS growth charts are available from your GP or can be downloaded from the NHS website.