What is the BMI?
BMI (Body Mass Index) is a body mass index, used to assess nutritional status and determine the level of overweight, obesity or underweight. This is a popular and easy-to-apply tool to determine whether a person's weight is appropriate for their height. For children, BMI is calculated similarly to adults, but to accurately assess obesity, the child's BMI needs to be compared with growth charts by age and gender, as children are in a rapid growth phase.
How to calculate BMI
To calculate the BMI, you need to know the child's weight and height. The calculation formula is as follows:
BMI = Weight (kg) / [Height (m)]2
In which:
Weight is calculated in kilograms (kg).
Height is measured in meters (m).
After calculating the BMI index, it is necessary to compare the results with the BMI chart by age and gender to assess the nutritional status of children. Unlike adults, the BMI index in children is not used separately to conclude whether children are overweight or obese, but must be compared with a standard growth chart.
Use a BMI chart to assess obesity levels in children
Unlike adults, to assess the nutritional status of children, it is necessary to rely on percentage charts. These charts help compare the BMI of children with other children of the same age and gender. Below is how to classify BMI by percentage:
Under 5%: Underweight children
From 5% to under 85%: Children with normal weight
From 85% to under 95%: Overweight children
From 95% and above: Obese children
This percentage chart can be found on official medical websites or provided by pediatricians. The use of this chart is important because children develop at different speeds, and the BMI cannot only be used independently to diagnose obesity in children but must be compared with the corresponding age group.
