Because weight and height change during growth and development, as does their relation to body fatness, a child’s BMI must be interpreted relative to other children of the same sex and age.īMI-for-age – Boys Growth Chart īMI-for-age – Girls Growth Chart

who participated in national surveys that were conducted from 1963-65 to 1988-94 4. These percentiles express a child’s BMI relative to children in the U.S. What is a BMI percentile and how is it interpreted?Īfter BMI is calculated for children and teens, it is expressed as a percentile which can be obtained from either a graph or a percentile calculator (see links below). The BMI number is calculated using standard formulas. Use the Child and Teen BMI Calculator to calculate BMI.Refer to Measuring Children’s Height and Weight Accurately At Home for guidance. In general, BMI is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of screening for weight categories that may lead to health problems.Ĭhild & Teen BMI Calculator How is BMI calculated for children and teens?Ĭalculating BMI using the BMI Percentile Calculator involves the following steps: BMI can be considered an alternative to direct measures of body fat. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI is correlated with more direct measures of body fat, such as skinfold thickness measurements, bioelectrical impedance, densitometry (underwater weighing), dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and other methods 1,2,3.

For children and teens, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age. In children, a high amount of body fat can lead to weight-related diseases and other health issues and being underweight can also put one at risk for health issues.Ī high BMI can be an indicator of high body fatness. What are the health consequences of obesity during childhood?īody Mass Index (BMI) is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters.My two children have the same BMI values, but one is considered obese and the other is not.Can I determine if my child or teen is obese by using an adult BMI calculator?.How can I tell if my child is overweight or obese?.What are the BMI trends for children and teens in the United States?.Why can’t healthy weight ranges be provided for children and teens?.Is BMI interpreted the same way for children and teens as it is for adults?.How is BMI used with children and teens?.

What is a BMI percentile and how is it interpreted?.

How is BMI calculated for children and teens?.

Being underweight is also bad as the body is devoid of nutrients, leading to health risks. A high composition of body fat in children can lead to weight-related issues and other disorders. In children and teens, BMI is based on age and sex, thus referred to as BMI for age. The standard weight status and BMI ranges for adults according to the World Health Organization (WHO) are (2): BMI In adults aged 20 and older, BMI is based on the standard weight status categories, which are the same for both men and women of all ages and body types. In other words, having an elevated BMI does not necessarily mean that you are not healthy, and having a normal BMI doesn't necessarily mean that you are healthy (1). It does have limitations, though, and should be used as only part of a patient's overall health assessment. BMI (body mass index) is a gross estimate of a person’s leanness or fatness based on their height and weight.

Bmi calculator children