1. What is BMI for Indian Kids?

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to children and teens. For Indian kids, specific growth charts are used as their growth patterns differ from Western populations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula adapted for Indian children:

Where:

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

Explanation: The result is compared against Indian-specific BMI-for-age growth charts to determine the percentile.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: Regular BMI monitoring helps identify undernutrition, overweight, and obesity in children, allowing for timely interventions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kg, height in cm, and age in years. Remove shoes and heavy clothing before measurements for accuracy.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Indian-specific charts?
A: Indian children have different growth patterns compared to Western populations due to genetic and environmental factors.

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

Q3: How often should BMI be checked?
A: Every 6 months for normal weight children, more frequently if concerns exist about growth.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so athletic children may be misclassified.

Q5: What if my child is below 2 years?
A: Use weight-for-length charts instead of BMI for infants and toddlers.