1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women as well as children. 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 formula calculates body mass per unit of height squared to estimate body fatness.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI is a simple screening tool to identify potential weight problems in children. It helps healthcare providers track growth patterns and identify potential health risks.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is child BMI different from adult BMI?
A: For children, BMI is plotted on growth charts to determine a percentile ranking based on age and sex, as body composition varies with age.

Q2: What are the BMI categories for children?
A: Categories include underweight (<5th percentile), healthy weight (5th-85th), overweight (85th-95th), and obese (>95th percentile).

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

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI for children?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so athletic children may have high BMI without excess fat. It's just one screening tool among many.

Q5: How often should my child's BMI be checked?
A: Healthcare providers typically check BMI at annual well-child visits starting at age 2.