1. What is BMI for Pediatric Patients?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to children and adolescents. For pediatric patients with obesity (≥95th percentile), BMI is a crucial screening tool to assess 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 formula calculates body mass per unit of height squared, providing a standardized measure of weight status.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI screening helps identify pediatric patients with obesity, which is associated with increased risk of health problems like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For accurate results, measurements should be taken with calibrated equipment.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What BMI percentile indicates obesity in children?
A: ≥95th percentile for age and sex indicates obesity, while ≥85th to <95th indicates overweight.

Q2: How often should BMI be calculated for pediatric patients?
A: The AAP recommends BMI calculation at least annually for all children aged 2 years and older.

Q3: Are there limitations to BMI in children?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle mass, so athletic children may have high BMI without excess fat.

Q4: Should BMI be interpreted differently by age?
A: Yes, pediatric BMI must be interpreted using age- and sex-specific growth charts.

Q5: What follow-up is needed for obese pediatric patients?
A: Comprehensive evaluation including diet assessment, physical activity evaluation, and screening for comorbidities.