1. What is BMI Percentile?

BMI percentile is a measure that compares a child's BMI to others of the same age and gender. It helps assess whether a child's weight is appropriate for their height, age, and sex.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

For children and teens (ages 2-20), the BMI is plotted on CDC growth charts to determine the percentile ranking.

Explanation: Percentiles show how a child's BMI compares to others of the same age and gender. For example, a BMI at the 85th percentile means the child's BMI is higher than 85% of children of the same age and sex.

3. Importance of BMI Percentile

Details: BMI percentile is the best indicator of weight status in children because it accounts for normal growth patterns. It helps identify underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity in children.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, and optionally age (2-20 years) and gender for percentile calculation. For adults, only weight and height are needed.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What do the percentile ranges mean?
A: Below 5th percentile = underweight; 5th-85th = healthy weight; 85th-95th = overweight; 95th+ = obese.

Q2: Why use percentiles for children but not adults?
A: Children's body composition changes with growth, so comparison to peers is needed. Adults use fixed BMI categories.

Q3: How accurate is this calculator?
A: The BMI calculation is precise, but percentile would require CDC/WHO growth charts for full accuracy.

Q4: When should I be concerned about my child's BMI?
A: Consult a healthcare provider if your child is below 5th or above 85th percentile, or if there are sudden changes.

Q5: Can BMI percentile be used for all children?
A: Specialized growth charts may be needed for children with certain medical conditions or syndromes.