1. What is BMI for Children?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure that adjusts body weight for height. For children and teens, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age. In NSW, Australia, BMI percentiles are used to compare a child's BMI with children of the same age and sex.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

The result is then compared to NSW growth charts to determine the percentile range for the child's age and gender.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation for Kids

Details: Tracking BMI-for-age helps identify children who are underweight, overweight, or at risk of becoming overweight. Early identification allows for early intervention and healthy lifestyle changes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Measure weight in kilograms (kg)
• Measure height in meters (m)
• Enter the child's exact age (2-18 years)
• Select the child's gender

For most accurate results, measurements should be taken by a healthcare professional.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use BMI-for-age instead of regular BMI?
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: How often should my child's BMI be checked?
A: NSW Health recommends annual BMI checks for children as part of routine health assessments.

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

Q5: Where can I find official NSW growth charts?
A: NSW Health provides growth charts on their website or through your local healthcare provider.