1. What is BMI for Children?

BMI (Body Mass Index) for children is a measure that adjusts weight for height. Unlike adults, children's BMI must be interpreted relative to other children of the same age and sex using percentile charts.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Percentile Calculation: The result is plotted on CDC growth charts to determine how a child's BMI compares to others of the same age and gender.

3. Importance of BMI Percentile

Details: BMI percentiles help identify underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity in children. They account for normal growth patterns that vary by age and sex.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kg, height in meters, exact age in years (2-20), and gender. Use the print button to generate a percentile chart for your records.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What do the percentile ranges mean?
A: Below 5th = underweight; 5th-85th = healthy weight; 85th-95th = overweight; 95th+ = obese

Q2: Why use percentiles instead of fixed BMI values?
A: Children's body composition changes with growth, so fixed cutoffs aren't appropriate.

Q3: How often should children's BMI be checked?
A: Annually for all children, more frequently if tracking weight concerns.

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

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