1. What is BMI Percentile?

BMI percentile is a measure that compares a child's BMI to other children of the same age and gender. It helps determine if a child's weight is appropriate for their height, age, and sex.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Then compares the result to CDC growth charts to determine the percentile based on age and gender.

3. Importance of BMI Percentile

Details: BMI percentile is the preferred measure for assessing weight status in children and teens because it accounts for normal differences in body fat between boys and girls and differences in body fat at various ages.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What do the percentile ranges mean?
A: Underweight (<5th), Healthy weight (5th-85th), Overweight (85th-95th), Obese (≥95th).

Q2: Why use percentiles for children but not adults?
A: Children's body composition changes dramatically with age and differs by sex, making percentiles more appropriate than fixed cutoffs.

Q3: How often should children's BMI be checked?
A: The AAP recommends BMI screening at least annually starting at age 2.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI percentile?
A: It doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle mass, and may be less accurate for very muscular or very tall children.

Q5: Where can I find CDC growth charts?
A: CDC growth charts are available online and are used by healthcare professionals to plot BMI percentiles.