1. What is BMI for Children and Teens?

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a screening tool for weight categories in children and teens aged 2-19 years. For children, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The result is compared against age- and sex-specific percentiles to determine weight status.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI screening helps identify potential weight problems in children, but is not a diagnostic tool. It helps track growth patterns over time.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kg, height in meters, and exact age. The calculator provides a visual representation of the BMI category.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is BMI different for children than adults?
A: Children's body composition varies by age and sex, so BMI must be interpreted relative to other children of the same age and sex.

Q2: What BMI percentile is considered healthy?
A: Generally, 5th to 85th percentile is considered healthy weight, 85th to 95th is overweight, and ≥95th is obese.

Q3: When should I be concerned about my child's BMI?
A: Consult a healthcare provider if your child's BMI is below 5th percentile or above 85th percentile.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI for children?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, and may not accurately reflect body fatness in very muscular children.

Q5: How often should BMI be checked in children?
A: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends BMI screening annually starting at age 2.