1. What is BMI in Children?

Body Mass Index (BMI) in children is a measure that adjusts for age and gender using percentile charts. Unlike adults, children's BMI is interpreted relative to growth charts specific to their age and sex.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula adjusted for pediatric percentiles:

Where:

• \( peso \) — Weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( altura \) — Height in meters (m)
• \( IMC \) — Body Mass Index (kg/m²)

Explanation: The result is then compared to standardized growth charts to determine the appropriate percentile category based on age and gender.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation in Children

Details: Pediatric BMI screening helps identify underweight, overweight, and obesity in children, allowing for early intervention and healthy growth monitoring.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms, height in meters, age in years (0-18), and select gender. All values must be valid positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use percentiles for children instead of fixed BMI values?
A: Children's body composition changes with growth, so percentiles account for normal developmental changes by age and gender.

Q2: What do the percentile categories mean?
A: Under 5th percentile: Underweight; 5th to 85th: Healthy weight; 85th to 95th: Overweight; Over 95th: Obese.

Q3: How often should children's BMI be measured?
A: Annual screening is recommended for children aged 2 years and older as part of routine health maintenance.

Q4: Are there limitations to BMI in children?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle mass, so athletic children may have higher BMI without being overweight.

Q5: When should I consult a healthcare provider?
A: If your child falls in underweight, overweight, or obese categories, or if you have concerns about their growth pattern.