1. What is BMI for Children?

Body Mass Index (BMI) for children is a measure that adjusts weight for height, age, and sex. Unlike adults, children's BMI is compared to growth charts to determine percentiles, as their body composition changes with growth.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula adjusted for children:

Where:

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

Explanation: The result is then compared to CDC growth charts to determine the child's BMI percentile based on age and gender.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI screening in children helps identify potential weight problems early. Tracking BMI over time can indicate whether a child is growing appropriately.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kg, 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: Why is BMI different for children than adults?
A: Children's body composition changes as they grow, so their BMI must be compared to others of the same age and sex.

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

Q3: How often should children's BMI be checked?
A: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends BMI screening at least annually starting at age 2.

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

Q5: What if my child's BMI is high?
A: Consult a pediatrician. They may evaluate diet, activity levels, and growth patterns over time.