![]() ![]() (Note that two children of different ages are plotted on the same growth chart to illustrate a point. See the following graphic for an example of a 10-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy who both have a BMI-for-age of 23. For children of different age and sex, the same BMI could represent different BMI percentiles and possibly different weight status categories. So, if the children are not the same age and the same sex, the interpretation of BMI has different meanings. The interpretation of BMI varies by age and sex. My two children have the same BMI values, but one is considered obese and the other is not. This means that the child’s BMI is greater than the BMI of 95% of 10-year-old boys in the reference population.įor adults, BMI is interpreted as weight status categories that are not dependent on sex or age. This would place the boy in the 95th percentile for BMI, and he would be considered to have obesity. For example, a 10-year-old boy of average height (56 inches) who weighs 102 pounds would have a BMI of 22.9 kg/m. Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex. Because there are changes in weight and height with age, as well as their relation to body fatness, BMI levels among children and teens need to be expressed relative to other children of the same sex and age. This chart is an example of how sample BMI numbers would be interpreted for a 10-year-old boy: Is BMI interpreted the same way for children and teens as it is for adults?īMI is interpreted differently for children and teens even though it is calculated as weight ÷ height. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of BMI to screen for overweight and obesity in children beginning at 2 years old. These assessments might include skinfold thickness measurements, evaluations of diet, physical activity, family history, and other appropriate health screenings. For example, a child may have a high BMI for their age and sex, but to determine if excess fat is a problem, a health care provider would need to perform further assessments. How is BMI used with children and teens?įor children and teens, BMI is not a diagnostic tool and is used to screen for potential weight and health-related issues. To determine whether the child has excess fat, further assessment by a trained health professional would be needed. Although BMI is used to screen for overweight and obesity in children and teens, BMI is not a diagnostic tool. How can I tell if my child is overweight or obese?ĬDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend the use of BMI to screen for overweight and obesity in children and teens age 2 through 19 years. BMI-for-age weight status categories and the corresponding percentiles were based on expert committee recommendations and are shown in the following table: Weight Status Categoryĥth percentile to less than the 85th percentileĮqual to or greater than the 95th percentile The BMI-for-age percentile growth charts are the most commonly used indicator to measure the size and growth patterns of children and teens in the United States. Because weight and height change during growth and development, as does their relation to body fatness, a child’s BMI must be interpreted relative to other children of the same sex and age. ![]() What is a BMI percentile and how is it interpreted?Īfter BMI is calculated for children and teens, it is expressed as a percentile which can be obtained from either a graph or a percentile calculator. For children and teens, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age. In children, a high amount of body fat can lead to weight-related diseases and other health issues and being underweight can also put one at risk for health issues. Risk factors for diseases and conditions associated with obesityīody Mass Index (BMI) is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters.Assessment of weight and health risk involves using three key measures: Assessing Bodyweight and Health Risk There are a number of ways that practitioners assess body weight to determine risk for chronic disease.
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