1. What is BMI for Children?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to children and teens. For Indian children, BMI percentiles are adjusted to account for South Asian body composition differences.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula adjusted for Indian children:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Body weight in kilograms
• \( height \) — Height in meters

Explanation: The result is compared to Indian-specific growth charts to determine the percentile for the child's age and gender.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI screening helps identify children who are underweight, overweight, or obese. Early identification allows for timely intervention and healthy lifestyle changes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kg, height in meters, age in years (2-18), and select gender. Measurements should be accurate for proper percentile classification.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use special charts for Indian children?
A: Indian children have different body composition compared to Western standards, requiring adjusted percentiles for accurate assessment.

Q2: What are healthy BMI ranges for Indian children?
A: Healthy ranges vary by age and gender. Generally, BMI between 5th-85th percentile is considered healthy.

Q3: How often should children's BMI be checked?
A: Annual BMI checks are recommended for all children aged 2 years and older.

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

Q5: What if my child is below 5th percentile?
A: Consult a pediatrician to rule out underlying health issues and discuss nutritional strategies.