1. What is BMI for Children?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure that adjusts body weight for height. For children and teens, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age. It compares your child's weight to that of other children of the same age and sex.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Then compares the result to CDC growth charts to determine the weight status percentile for the child's age and gender.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: Tracking BMI-for-age helps identify children who are underweight, at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese. Early identification can help prevent health problems associated with extreme weight.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, and exact age in years. For most 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 as they grow, so BMI must be interpreted relative to other children of the same age and sex.

Q2: What BMI percentile is considered healthy?
A: Generally, 5th to 85th percentile is considered healthy weight, but consult a healthcare provider for individual assessment.

Q3: How often 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?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so athletic children may have high BMI without excess fat.

Q5: What if my child's BMI is high?
A: Consult your pediatrician. They may assess other factors like growth pattern, family history, and diet/physical activity.