1. What is BMI for Kids?

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. The NSW Health Service provides percentile charts to assess a child's growth compared to others of the same age and sex.

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 NSW Health Service growth charts to determine the child's percentile for their age and gender.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: Regular BMI monitoring helps identify children who are underweight, overweight, or obese, allowing for early intervention and healthy lifestyle promotion.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kg, height in meters, age in years (2-18), and select gender. For accurate results, measure height without shoes and weight with minimal clothing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: Is BMI accurate for all children?
A: BMI is a screening tool but may not reflect body fatness in muscular children or those with unusual body proportions.

Q3: How often should my child's BMI be checked?
A: Annual checks are recommended as part of routine health assessments.

Q4: What if my child is above the healthy range?
A: Consult a healthcare provider for a comprehensive assessment and guidance on healthy lifestyle changes.

Q5: Are there different charts for boys and girls?
A: Yes, growth patterns differ by gender, so separate charts are used.