1. What is BMI for Children?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure that adjusts body weight for height. For children, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is referred to as BMI-for-age. It's an important screening tool for potential weight problems in children.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula adjusted for pediatric interpretation:

Where:

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

Explanation: The result is compared to CDC growth charts to determine the weight status percentile for children of the same age and sex.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: Regular BMI monitoring helps identify children at risk of weight-related health problems. It's more useful than weight alone as it accounts for height differences.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Measure weight in kg and height in cm without shoes. Use the child's exact age for most accurate percentile calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use BMI for children instead of adults?
A: Children's body composition changes as they grow, so BMI must be interpreted relative to other children of the same age and sex.

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

Q3: When should I be concerned about my child's BMI?
A: Consult a pediatrician if your child is below 5th or above 85th percentile, or if there are sudden changes in BMI.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI for children?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle mass. Athletic children may have high BMI due to muscle rather than fat.

Q5: How often should BMI be checked?
A: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends annual BMI screening from age 2.