1. What is BMI for Children?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure that uses height and weight to estimate body fat. For children, BMI is age- and gender-specific and is interpreted using percentile charts rather than fixed categories used for adults.

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 numeric BMI value must be plotted on gender-specific growth charts to determine the percentile.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation for Kids

Details: Tracking BMI percentiles helps identify potential weight problems in children. High BMI may indicate overweight/obesity, while low BMI may indicate undernutrition.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kg, height in meters, and exact age (2-18 years). Measurements should be accurate for proper interpretation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is child BMI different from adult BMI?
A: Children's BMI is compared to growth charts for their age and gender, resulting in a percentile rather than fixed categories.

Q2: What BMI percentile is considered healthy?
A: Generally, 5th-85th percentile is healthy weight, 85th-95th is overweight, and ≥95th is obese. Below 5th may indicate underweight.

Q3: When should I be concerned about my child's BMI?
A: Consult a pediatrician if your child is below 5th percentile or above 85th percentile, or if there are sudden changes in percentile.

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

Q5: Where can I find growth charts to interpret the result?
A: The CDC and WHO provide growth charts online, or you can consult your pediatrician.