How to Use a BMI Calculator for Kids: A Step-by-Step Guide

Kids' BMI Calculator: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents

Understanding a child's well-being is a crucial aspect of being a parent. It allows parents to gauge how their child is navigating the world and to explore various methods to support their physical and mental growth. BMI calculator for kids has been one of the proven ways to assess the physical growth of your child.  

BMI stands for Body Mass Index. It is a useful tool to understand whether your child is underweight, overweight, obese or perfectly healthy. Monitoring kids' weight is different from adults since it takes age and gender into account. Subsequently, this blog talks about using a kids' BMI calculator and how you can use the data to support your child's health.

 
What is BMI, and Why is Tracking Important for Kids?

BMI is a screened data that is derived from a child's height and weight. It is a quick and inexpensive way to monitor the weight status of your children and identify early warning signs of any potential health issues. For children and teenagers, BMI is assessed differently and the data changes with age, since their bodies are at a growing stage.  

Paediatricians around the world use certain growth charts to keep an eye on the physical development of infants, children and adolescents. These are: 

●Child Growth Standard Charts by World Health Organization (WHO): This chart is ideal for children between birth and 2 years. 
●CDC 2000 Growth Charts: This BMI chart for kids is ideal for teenagers and children who are 2 years and older.   
●CDC 2022 Extended BMI for Age Growth Charts: This chart is for adolescents and children aged two or more who possess very high BMIs. 

What is the step-by-step process for calculating BMI for kids?  

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to evaluate your child's BMI: 

Step 1: Gather all the key information you need 
The first step in calculating your child's Body Mass Index is to know all the information. Following is the list of information you need to proceed: 
●Age: Children grow at different rates as they develop; thus, the BMI calculation differs with age. 
●Gender: Boys and girls have different development patterns, making gender one of the crucial inputs of BMI calculation. 
●Height: Ensure to measure the height of your child in either inches or meters. 
●Weight: Weigh your child and take the data in either kilograms or pounds.  
All the precise details will collectively help to result in an accurate Body Mass Index percentile for your kid. 

Step 2: Use a reliable BMI calculator 
There are various BMI calculators for kids available online that you can use. Star Health BMI calculator is an effective BMI calculator for kids in India to assess your kid's weight for height. 

Step 3: Comprehend your child's BMI percentile 
Once you receive the BMI of your child, it is important to understand its true meaning. Unlike adults, children's BMI is assessed relatively using data from other children of the same age and gender. This comparative study is done using BMI-for-age-percentile. Here's a detail:  
Body Mass Index Percentile Interpretation
5th percentile or below Underweight
5th to 85th percentile Healthy weight
85th to 95th percentile Overweight
95th percentile and more Obese
Underweight children are prone to many health risks, such as: 
●Nutritional deficiency 
●Increased risk of infection 
●Delayed healing process 
●Osteoporosis 
●Growth and developmental issues  

Similar to being underweight, overweight and obesity also pose various risks, including: 
●Type 2 Diabetes 
●Asthma 
●Sleep apnoea 
●Fatty liver 
●Multiple sclerosis  
●Crohn's disease
If your child's BMI falls outside the healthy weight range, then consulting with a paediatrician and discussing the next steps will be wise. 

Important Aspects to Consider in Estimating BMI for Kids:

●A BMI calculator for kids is just one tool to evaluate body weight, there's more to the scene. It lacks the ability to measure body fat directly or consider muscle mass, bone density, or distribution of fat. Thus, it is advised not to rely completely on the Body Mass Index to determine whether your child is underweight or obese.  
●Changes in BMI percentile are more essential than a single measurement. The BMI of a child was the 85th percentile a year ago, and now it is the 65th percentile. This change reflects a positive growth. 

What Are Some Common Misconceptions about BMI for Kids? 

When it comes to kids, many misconceptions about Body Mass Index can blur the line between reliable advice and harmful actions that negatively impact your child's health. Following are some popular common misconceptions regarding kids' BMI: 

●BMI is a Flawless Measurement  
BMI is nothing but a screening tool. Since it does not take frame, muscle mass and other crucial factors into account Thus, the evaluation of BMI tends to be misleading. 
●BMI is the Only Way to Measure the Balance Between Your Child's Weight and Height 
Many parents believe BMI is the only way to assess the weight of their children, but that is not true. There are several other tests, such as waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, skinfold thickness, etc., that evaluate the growth of a child. If you are willing to find out the actual reason behind your child's weight gain or loss, kindly consult a doctor. 
●BMI Directly Measures Body Fat 
Though BMI measures body fat content, it is indirect. For instance, a child with a large frame and a lot of muscles is most likely to have a high BMI but not excessive body fat. 
●Puberty Makes BMI More Precise 
Kids often gain weight quickly during puberty, making BMI estimation less accurate. 
How to Maintain a Healthy BMI in Your Children? 
Here are some protips that might help to keep your child's weight within the healthy range: 
●Teach Them about Hunger and Fullness 
Sometimes, when snacks are at hand, children tend to eat when they are bored or sad. Parents must teach their kids how to recognise when they are hungry and when they are full. This will eventually help them understand when to start eating and when to stop. 
●Use Child-sized Portions 
A child-sized plate helps to gauge how much food your child needs in a meal. Ensure to fill the plate with a considerable number of fruits, veggies, protein (fish/chicken/meat/egg) and whole grain (oatmeal, bread or rice).  
●Encourage Routine Physical Activity 
It is essential for every child to get up every day and get moving. Regular physical activity not only maintains an optimal weight but also reduces anxiety and promotes overall well-being. 
●Be a Role Model 
Kids imitate what they see grownups do. Thus, be sure to apply all the above-mentioned tips in your lifestyle to weave the same into your child's daily routine. 

Final Words 

Summing up, a BMI calculator for kids serves as a starting point for discussing your child's weight-related concerns. Healthcare professionals use BMI as a part of the wider assessment of a kid's health status. Parents must look at BMI as a trend instead of concentrating on numbers. Any measurement taken out of context can give you the wrong impression about your child's health.