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 referred to as BMI-for-age. The NHS uses growth charts to compare a child's BMI with children of the same age and gender.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The result is then compared to UK growth reference charts for children of the same age and gender to determine the percentile.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: Tracking BMI-for-age helps identify potential weight problems in children. It's used for growth monitoring and early identification of underweight, overweight or obesity.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kg, height in meters, age in years (2-18), and select gender. For 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 by age and gender, so BMI must be interpreted relative to other children of the same age and gender.

Q2: What are the BMI percentile categories?
A: Below 5th (underweight), 5th-85th (healthy weight), 85th-95th (overweight), and above 95th (obese).

Q3: When should I be concerned about my child's BMI?
A: Consult a healthcare provider if your child is below 5th percentile or above 85th percentile consistently.

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

Q5: How often should BMI be checked in children?
A: The NHS recommends annual BMI checks as part of routine growth monitoring in school-aged children.