1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight. The formula is BMI = kg/m² where kg is a person's weight in kilograms and m² is their height in meters squared. For Canadian children, BMI is plotted on growth charts to assess weight status.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: BMI provides a simple numeric measure of body fatness for most people.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI screening is used to identify possible weight problems in children. However, it's not a diagnostic tool and should be followed up with more assessments.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For accuracy, measure height without shoes and weight with minimal clothing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is BMI interpreted for children?
A: Unlike adults, children's BMI is age and sex-specific. Results are plotted on growth charts as percentiles.

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

Q3: Why use metric units?
A: The standard BMI formula uses kg and meters. For pounds/inches: BMI = (weight/(height²)) × 703.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, and may not reflect body fat distribution.

Q5: How often should children's BMI be checked?
A: Health Canada recommends annual BMI assessment for children aged 2-17 years.