1. What is BMI for Children?

BMI (Body Mass Index) for children is a measure that adjusts weight for height and compares it to growth charts for children of the same age and sex. Unlike adults, children's BMI is age and gender-specific because their body composition changes as they grow.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula adjusted for pediatric growth charts:

Where:

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

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

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: Pediatric BMI helps identify underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity in children. Tracking BMI over time can show growth patterns and potential health risks.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kg, height in meters, and exact age in years. For infants, use length instead of height. Measurements should be as accurate as possible.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use BMI for children instead of adults?
A: Children's body composition changes with growth, so their BMI must be compared to age and gender-specific percentiles.

Q2: What are healthy BMI percentiles for children?
A: 5th-85th percentile is considered healthy weight. Below 5th is underweight, 85th-95th is overweight, and ≥95th is obese.

Q3: How often should children's BMI be checked?
A: Pediatricians typically check BMI at all well-child visits from age 2 through adolescence.

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

Q5: What if my child's BMI is high?
A: Consult your pediatrician. They'll consider growth history, family patterns, and may perform additional assessments.