1. What is BMI for Teen Girls?

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to teen girls. It's calculated the same way as for adults but interpreted differently, using age- and sex-specific percentiles.

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 compared to CDC growth charts to determine the percentile for girls of the same age.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI screening can identify potential weight problems in teens, but it's not a diagnostic tool. A healthcare provider would perform further assessments to determine if excess fat is a problem.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For accurate results, measure height without shoes and weight in light clothing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does clothing affect BMI calculation?
A: Normal clothing adds minimal weight and doesn't significantly affect BMI calculation for screening purposes.

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

Q3: Is BMI accurate for athletic teens?
A: BMI may overestimate body fat in muscular teens as it doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat.

Q4: How often should BMI be checked?
A: Annual BMI checks are typically sufficient unless recommended otherwise by a healthcare provider.

Q5: Does this calculator account for age?
A: While the calculation doesn't include age, the interpretation uses age-specific percentiles for teen girls.