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Body Mass Index (BMI) for children is a measure that takes into account weight and height, adjusted for age and gender. Unlike adults, children's BMI is compared to growth charts to determine percentiles, which indicate how a child's BMI compares to others of the same age and gender.
The calculator uses the standard BMI formula adjusted for pediatric growth charts:
Where:
Explanation: The result is then compared to standardized growth charts from Stanford to determine the child's BMI percentile.
Details: Tracking BMI percentiles in children helps identify potential weight problems early. It's a screening tool that can indicate whether a child is underweight, at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese for their age and height.
Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, age in years (2-20), and select gender. For accurate results, measurements should be taken with minimal clothing and no shoes.
Q1: Why use percentiles for children instead of fixed BMI values?
A: Children's body composition changes as they grow, so percentiles account for normal growth patterns by comparing to peers of the same age and gender.
Q2: What is a healthy BMI percentile for children?
A: Generally, 5th to 85th percentile is considered healthy weight, but a healthcare provider should interpret results in context of the child's overall health.
Q3: How often should my child's BMI be checked?
A: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends BMI screening annually starting at age 2.
Q4: Are there limitations to BMI for children?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle mass, so athletic children may have higher BMIs that don't reflect excess fat.
Q5: What should I do if my child's BMI percentile is concerning?
A: Consult with a pediatrician or healthcare provider who can evaluate growth trends and consider other factors like family history and development.