1. What is BMI for Children?

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a screening tool for overweight and obesity in children. For children and teens, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age. The CDC growth charts are used to determine the corresponding BMI-for-age percentile.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula adapted for Indian children:

Where:

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

Explanation: The result is compared against CDC growth charts to determine the percentile for Indian children.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI-for-age is the recommended indicator for screening overweight and obesity in children aged 2-18 years. It helps identify potential weight problems that may lead to health issues.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kg, height in meters, age in years (2-18), and select gender. Measurements should be as accurate as possible for correct percentile classification.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use CDC charts for Indian children?
A: While Indian-specific charts exist, CDC charts provide internationally comparable data and are widely used in clinical practice.

Q2: What are the BMI categories for children?
A: Underweight (<5th percentile), Healthy weight (5th-85th), Overweight (85th-95th), Obese (≥95th percentile).

Q3: When should BMI be measured in children?
A: Routine screening should begin at age 2 and be done at least annually.

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

Q5: How does this differ from adult BMI?
A: Children's BMI is interpreted relative to others of the same age and sex, while adult BMI uses fixed thresholds.