1. What is BMI Percentile?

BMI percentile is the relative position of a child's BMI among children of the same sex and age. It's the most common indicator of weight status for children and teens.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

The result is then compared to CDC growth charts for boys to determine the percentile.

3. Importance of BMI Percentile

Details: BMI percentile helps identify if a child is underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese compared to national standards.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, and age in years (2-20 years). Measurements should be as accurate as possible.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What do the percentile ranges mean?
A: Underweight (<5th), Healthy weight (5th-85th), Overweight (85th-95th), Obese (≥95th).

Q2: Why use percentiles instead of BMI categories?
A: Children's body composition changes with age, so percentiles account for normal growth patterns.

Q3: How often should BMI be checked in children?
A: The AAP recommends annual BMI screening starting at age 2.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI percentile?
A: It doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle mass. Additional assessments may be needed for very muscular children.

Q5: What if my child is above the 85th percentile?
A: Consult a healthcare provider for evaluation and guidance on healthy lifestyle changes.