1. What is BMI for Teens?

BMI (Body Mass Index) for teens is calculated the same way as for adults, but the interpretation uses age- and gender-specific percentiles from CDC growth charts rather than fixed categories.

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 CDC growth charts to determine the percentile for the teen's age and gender.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation for Teens

Details: BMI percentiles help identify underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity in children and teens, accounting for normal growth patterns.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kg, height in meters, exact age (2-19 years), and gender. For accurate results, measure height without shoes and weight with minimal clothing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use percentiles instead of categories for teens?
A: Children's body composition changes with age, so percentiles account for normal growth patterns.

Q2: What do the percentiles mean?
A: Underweight (<5th), Healthy weight (5th-85th), Overweight (85th-95th), Obese (≥95th).

Q3: How often should teens have BMI calculated?
A: CDC recommends annual BMI screening as part of routine health checkups.

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

Q5: Where can I find CDC growth charts?
A: CDC growth charts are available at https://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/