1. What is BMI for Children?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a screening tool for healthy weight assessment in children and teens. For children, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age. Unlike adults, children's BMI is compared to percentiles based on 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

Note: For children, the calculated BMI must be plotted on gender-specific BMI-for-age growth charts to determine the percentile.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI screening helps identify potential weight problems in children. However, it's not a diagnostic tool - further assessments are needed to determine if excess fat is a problem.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, age in years (2-20), and select gender. For accurate results, measurements should be taken with minimal clothing and no shoes.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What do the BMI percentiles mean?
A: Below 5th percentile = underweight; 5th to 85th = healthy weight; 85th to 95th = overweight; 95th and above = obese.

Q2: Why is BMI different for children than adults?
A: Children's body composition varies as they grow, so BMI must be interpreted relative to other children of the same age and sex.

Q3: When should my child's BMI be checked?
A: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends BMI screening annually from age 2.

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

Q5: What should I do if my child's BMI is concerning?
A: Consult your pediatrician who can perform further assessments and provide guidance.