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. For children, BMI is interpreted relative to growth charts to determine weight status categories.

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 then plotted on a CDC growth chart to determine the percentile for age and sex.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation for Children

Details: BMI-for-age is the recommended measure for screening overweight and obesity in children aged 2-19 years. It helps identify potential weight problems that may lead to health issues.

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 properly calibrated equipment.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is BMI interpreted differently for children?
A: Children's body composition varies by age and sex, so BMI must be compared against growth charts specific to these factors.

Q2: What are the BMI categories for children?
A: Underweight (<5th percentile), Healthy weight (5th-85th), Overweight (85th-95th), Obese (≥95th percentile).

Q3: When should BMI be measured in children?
A: The AAP recommends annual BMI screening starting at age 2.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI for children?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle mass. Additional assessments may be needed for very muscular children.

Q5: Where can I find growth charts?
A: CDC growth charts are available at https://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/