Q. How is BMI used with children and teens?

Ans: BMI is used to screen whether a child is underweight, healthy, overweight, or obese, using age and gender specific BMI percentile charts.

Q. How to calculate BMI in children?

Ans: You can calculate BMI for children using the following formula: BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)Â² Once you get the BMI number, compare it with a BMI-for-age chart to find your childâs BMI percentile.

Q. When can BMI be used for children?

Ans: BMI can be used for children as soon as they turn 2 years old. However, for younger children and infants, weight-for-length is used instead.

Q. What is a normal BMI for a teenager?

Ans: A BMI between the 3rd and 85th percentiles is considered normal for teenagers, depending on their age and gender.

Q. What is normal BMI for a child?

Ans: The normal BMI for a child is between the 3rd and 85th percentile on the BMI percentile chart.

Q. How to read BMI charts for children?

Ans: To read the BMI chart for children, you must find your childâs age on the chart and then plot their BMI to find their percentile, which indicates their growth status.

Q. Can BMI be used for any age?

Ans: BMI is useful for everyone aged 2 years and above. For children aged 2-19 years, a BMI percentile chart is used. However, for adults, a BMI range is used.

Q. What is a healthy BMI by age?

Ans: BMI for adults is not dependent on their age but is determined based on their height and weight. For adults, a normal BMI range is 18.5 â 24.9. However, a healthy BMI for children and teens depends on both age and sex, and is interpreted using BMI percentile charts. Hence, a healthy BMI range for children aged 2-19 years is between the 3rd and 85th percentile.

Q. Should teenagers use BMI?

Ans: Yes, teenagers can use the BMI to identify if they fall within a healthy weight range and predict any health-related risks. However, it should be used with support from doctors or nutritionists.

Q. What is the importance of BMI among adolescents?

Ans: BMI helps you monitor the changes in your childâs body during puberty and signals early warning signs of weight-related health issues.

Q. What to do in case of a high BMI in children and teens?

Ans: In case of a high BMI in your child, you must try to include more physical activity, a balanced diet, reduced high sugary foods, and consultation with a paediatrician.

Q. How do you calculate the weight of a child for BMI?

Ans: To calculate your childâs BMI, you should check their weight on the weighing scale after taking off their shoes and any heavy clothes.

Q. How to calculate BMI for girls?

Ans: The same BMI formula applies to girls and boys. Hence, you must divide the weight by the square of your girl child's height and compare it with the BMI percentile chart.

Q. Is BMI interpreted the same way for children and teenagers as it is for adults?

Ans: No. BMI is interpreted differently for children and teenagers as compared to adults. While BMI for adults are calculated based on their height and weight, BMI for children and teenagers are interpreted based on their gender and age.

How to Use BMI for Children and Teenagers – Accurate Growth & Health Guidance!

How is BMI Different for Children and Teens?

BMI is used to categorise adults as underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obese based on their height. However, for children and teens aged 2-19 years, it is interpreted in the context of age and gender. Since children and teenagers are still growing and developing at different rates, BMI-for-age percentile charts are used to understand their growth status.

What is the BMI Percentile for Children (Aged 2-19 Years)?

Healthcare professionals will use the following BMI percentile chart to categorise the growth of your child aged 2-19 years:

TDEE/ Daily Calorie Needs = BMR x Activity Multiplier

BMI Percentile

BMI Category

Below the 3rd percentile

Underweight

3rd–85th percentile

Healthy weight

85th–97th percentile

Overweight

95th and above

Obese

How is BMI Different for Children and Teens?

To calculate BMI for children and teenagers, you can either use a BMI calculator or the formula mentioned below:

BMI = weight (kg) ÷ [height (m)]²

For Example: A child weighing 40 kg and having a height of 1.45 m will have the following BMI:

BMI = 40 / (1.45 × 1.45) = 19.0

Once you have calculated the BMI for your child or teen, it should be compared against the percentile charts published by organisations like the CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) or the WHO (World Health Organisation). The BMI percentile charts for children and teenagers can help to assess your child's growth and health parameters.

Why is BMI Important for Children and Teenagers?

Even though BMI is a screening tool and not a diagnostic measure, it plays a crucial role in identifying whether your child's growth is progressing as expected or not. Monitoring your child’s BMI over time can help you and the doctors take timely action on your child's health before a health issue becomes serious. It gives a big-picture view and helps to keep things in control before it is too late.

Here are some of the reasons why BMI is important for children and teenagers:

Detects Health Risks: A very high or very low BMI can indicate health risks like undernutrition, obesity, or hormonal imbalances. Children with abnormal BMIs may be at a higher risk of health issues, such as diabetes, joint problems, cardiovascular disease, etc.

Promotes Timely Lifestyle Changes: A timely awareness gives you time to adjust your child’s diet, activity levels, and screen time habits, to control any future health risks.

Monitors Puberty-related Changes: During adolescence, body composition changes rapidly. BMI helps keep track of whether those changes are within a healthy range or not.

Limitations of Calculating BMI in Children and Teenagers

While BMI is a useful tool, it has several limitations. Check out the limitations of BMI in children and teenagers below:

Here are some of the reasons why BMI is important for children and teenagers:

Ignores Body Fat Composition: BMI is just a ratio of weight and height. It does not distinguish between fat, muscle, or bone. It is important for you to understand the difference between BMI and body fat percentage and choose the best metric for your child.

May Be Inaccurate for Athletic Children: Kids with high muscle mass or young athletes may appear overweight as per BMI despite having a low body fat.

Neglects Puberty-related Changes: During puberty, changes in hormones and fat distribution vary from child to child. However, BMI does not consider those differences.

Should You Use BMI to Monitor Your Child’s Growth?

Although BMI is not a perfect tool, when used correctly, it helps healthcare professionals track your child’s growth and detect possible health concerns early. The key is to remember that BMI is just one part of the picture. Balanced nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and mental well-being are equally crucial for your child’s development. If you are concerned about your child’s BMI or growth pattern, it is always best to consult a paediatrician or child nutrition expert.

FAQs

Q. How is BMI used with children and teens?

Ans: BMI is used to screen whether a child is underweight, healthy, overweight, or obese, using age and gender specific BMI percentile charts.
Q. How to calculate BMI in children?

Ans: You can calculate BMI for children using the following formula:
BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)²
Once you get the BMI number, compare it with a BMI-for-age chart to find your child’s BMI percentile.
Q. When can BMI be used for children?

Ans: BMI can be used for children as soon as they turn 2 years old. However, for younger children and infants, weight-for-length is used instead.
Q. What is a normal BMI for a teenager?

Ans: A BMI between the 3rd and 85th percentiles is considered normal for teenagers, depending on their age and gender.
Q. What is normal BMI for a child?

Ans: The normal BMI for a child is between the 3rd and 85th percentile on the BMI percentile chart.
Q. How to read BMI charts for children?

Ans: To read the BMI chart for children, you must find your child’s age on the chart and then plot their BMI to find their percentile, which indicates their growth status.
Q. Can BMI be used for any age?

Ans: BMI is useful for everyone aged 2 years and above. For children aged 2-19 years, a BMI percentile chart is used. However, for adults, a BMI range is used.
Q. What is a healthy BMI by age?

Ans: BMI for adults is not dependent on their age but is determined based on their height and weight. For adults, a normal BMI range is 18.5 – 24.9. However, a healthy BMI for children and teens depends on both age and sex, and is interpreted using BMI percentile charts. Hence, a healthy BMI range for children aged 2-19 years is between the 3rd and 85th percentile.
Q. Should teenagers use BMI?

Ans: Yes, teenagers can use the BMI to identify if they fall within a healthy weight range and predict any health-related risks. However, it should be used with support from doctors or nutritionists.
Q. What is the importance of BMI among adolescents?

Ans: BMI helps you monitor the changes in your child’s body during puberty and signals early warning signs of weight-related health issues.
Q. What to do in case of a high BMI in children and teens?

Ans: In case of a high BMI in your child, you must try to include more physical activity, a balanced diet, reduced high sugary foods, and consultation with a paediatrician.
Q. How do you calculate the weight of a child for BMI?

Ans: To calculate your child’s BMI, you should check their weight on the weighing scale after taking off their shoes and any heavy clothes.
Q. How to calculate BMI for girls?

Ans: The same BMI formula applies to girls and boys. Hence, you must divide the weight by the square of your girl child's height and compare it with the BMI percentile chart.
Q. Is BMI interpreted the same way for children and teenagers as it is for adults?

Ans: No. BMI is interpreted differently for children and teenagers as compared to adults. While BMI for adults are calculated based on their height and weight, BMI for children and teenagers are interpreted based on their gender and age.

How to Use BMI for Children and Teenagers?