1. What is BMI for Children?

Body Mass Index (BMI) for children is a screening tool that assesses whether a child is underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese for their age and sex. Unlike adults, children's BMI is age and gender-specific and is compared to growth charts.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

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

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: Tracking BMI in children helps identify potential weight problems early. Childhood obesity is associated with health risks like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kg, height in meters, age in years (2-20), and select gender. For accurate results, measure height and weight without shoes and heavy clothing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is BMI different for children than adults?
A: Children's body composition varies by age and sex 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 healthcare provider if your child is below 5th percentile or above 85th percentile consistently.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI for children?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so athletic children may have high BMI without excess fat.

Q5: How often should my child's BMI be checked?
A: Yearly checks are recommended, or more frequently if there are concerns about growth or weight.