1. What is BMI for Children?

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a screening tool for weight categories in children and teens. For children, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

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

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI-for-age is the recommended indicator for screening overweight and obesity in children and teens. It's a useful tool to identify potential weight problems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, and age in years (between 2-20). For accurate results, measurements should be taken by a healthcare professional.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use BMI-for-age for children?
A: Because children's body composition varies as they grow, BMI must be interpreted relative to other children of the same sex and age.

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

Q3: Is BMI accurate for all children?
A: BMI is a screening tool but doesn't directly measure body fat. Athletes with more muscle mass may have higher BMI without excess fat.

Q4: How often should children's BMI be checked?
A: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends BMI assessment at least annually.

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