1. What is BMI for Children?

BMI-for-age is a screening tool for underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity in children and teens aged 2-20 years. Unlike adults, children's BMI must be 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

Note: For children, the BMI value is plotted on growth charts to determine the percentile for age and sex.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation for Children

Details: Regular BMI monitoring helps identify potential weight problems in children early, allowing for timely intervention and healthy lifestyle guidance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, age in years (2-20), and select gender. For accurate results, measure height without shoes and weight with minimal clothing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What BMI percentile is considered healthy for children?
A: Generally, 5th-85th percentile is healthy weight, 85th-95th is overweight, and ≥95th is obese. Below 5th is underweight.

Q2: Why is BMI interpreted differently for children?
A: Children's body composition varies by age and sex as they grow, so BMI must be compared to peers of the same age and sex.

Q3: How often should children's BMI be checked?
A: Annually is typical, but more frequently if there are concerns about growth or weight.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI for children?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle mass. Athletic children may have high BMI due to muscle rather than fat.

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