BMI Calculator for Child and Teen
Child/Teen BMI Calculator
Calculated Results
0
BMI
category
BMI Category
0th
BMI Percentile
%
Percent of the 95th Percentile
Information Entered
Age:
Sex:
Date of Birth:
Date of Measurement:
Height:
Weight:
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Detailed Results
Based on the information entered, the body mass index (BMI) is 0. This child's BMI-for-age is ataboveless than the 0th percentile, which means that this child's BMI is lessgreater than the BMIs of 0% of 0-year-old s in the reference population used to create CDC's growth charts. This child's BMI falls into the category, defined as a BMI that is less than the 5th percentileat or above the 5th to less than the 85th percentileat or above the 85th to less than the 95th percentileat or above the 95th percentileat or above 120% of the 95th percentile for sex and age or a BMI that is at or above 35 kg/m2.
Body mass index-for-age percentiles: s, 2 to 20 years
What does this mean?
BMI is a calculated measure of weight relative to height. BMI is used to assess a child's physical growth.
Because children and teens are growing, BMI values must be expressed relative to other children of the same sex and age. BMI-for-age percentiles indicate how your child's BMI compares to BMIs of children of the same sex and age in the reference population used to create the CDC growth charts.
| BMI Category | BMI Range |
|---|---|
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Less than the 5th percentile |
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5th percentile to less than the 85th percentile |
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85th percentile to less than the 95th percentile |
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95th percentile or greater |
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120% of the 95th percentile or greater OR a BMI of 35 kg/m2 or greater |
What can parents, caregivers, and teens do?
Discuss the BMI results with your healthcare provider as BMI can relate to overall health and well-being. Learn more about Defining Child BMI Categories. Encourage children and teens to build and practice healthy routines.
Having severe obesity can increase a child or teen's risk for physical health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol, and mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. Children with severe obesity are also more likely to have obesity or severe obesity in adulthood, which is associated with additional chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, joint problems, and many types of cancer.
Remember
What can healthcare providers do?
Healthcare providers can assess height, weight, and BMI percentile at least annually for all children to help monitor growth relative to other children of the same age and sex. Healthcare providers can also assess for social and health risk factors, such as food insecurity and family history, and work with the patient and family on an individual plan to maintain a healthy weight and help prevent chronic conditions. identify supports and treatment options.
Recommended treatment might include referral to a Family Healthy Weight Program. These are comprehensive, family-based lifestyle change programs that help children and adolescents with overweight or obesity make progress towards a healthier weight through positive behavior changes.
Related Resources
- Tips to Support Healthy Routines for Children and Teens
- Preventing Childhood Obesity: 6 Things Families Can Do
- Benefits of Healthy Eating for Children
- Making Physical Activity Part of a Child's Life
- About Water and Healthier Drinks
- Are You Getting Enough Sleep?
- Risk Factors for Obesity
- Consequences of Obesity
- Family Healthy Weight Programs
- Prescription Medications to Treat Obesity
- Weight Loss (Metabolic and Bariatric) Surgery
Error
The calculated BMI appears to be out of range. Please check the accuracy of the information you entered.
Information Entered
Age:
Sex:
Date of Birth:
Date of Measurement:
Height:
Weight:
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This calculator provides body mass index (BMI) and the corresponding BMI-for-age percentile based on CDC growth charts for children and teens ages 2 through 19 years. Because of possible rounding errors in age, weight, and height, the results from this calculator may differ slightly from BMI-for-age percentiles calculated by other programs.
This BMI calculator is not meant to serve as a source of clinical guidance. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.