1. What is BMI for Adolescent Girls?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adolescent girls. For adolescents, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age. It's compared to female-specific percentiles to determine 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: The result is then compared to CDC growth charts for girls of the same age to determine the percentile category.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI-for-age is the recommended indicator for screening overweight and obesity in adolescents. It helps identify potential weight problems that may lead to health issues.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, and exact age (10-19 years). For accurate results, measurements should be taken with minimal clothing and no shoes.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use BMI-for-age instead of regular BMI?
A: Because children and teens are growing, their BMI must be compared against others of the same sex and age to be meaningful.

Q2: What are the BMI percentile categories?
A: Underweight (<5th), Normal weight (5th-<85th), Overweight (85th-<95th), Obese (≥95th percentile).

Q3: How often should BMI be calculated for adolescents?
A: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends annual BMI screening for all children and adolescents.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI?
A: BMI doesn't directly measure body fat and may misclassify muscular individuals. It also doesn't account for pubertal development.

Q5: What should I do if my child is in an unhealthy category?
A: Consult with a healthcare provider for a comprehensive evaluation and personalized advice.