BMI percentages for children and teens are calculated differently than BMI percentages of adults
Body Mass Index or BMI (wt/ht2) is a number calculated from a child's weight and height. It is a reliable indicator of body fatness for most children and teens. It doesn't measure body fat directly, but is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method that helps to determine if a child or teen is underweight, at a healthy weight, at risk of being overweight, overweight or obese. Unlike the BMI calculations for adults, the interpretation of these results is dependent on the child/teen's age and gender.
BMI-for-age charts and growth charts is another way to make this determination. These charts represent a series of curved lines based on typical weight to height measurements for the larger population of children ages two to twenty. Once your weight and height have been measured and recorded, you can determine how your measurements compare to that of the larger population of children and teens as a percentage. BMI-for-age charts are available at www.cdc.gov/growthcharts.
Measure your height in meters or inches, and your weight in kilos or pounds and do the following calculations to determine your body fat percentage or use the BMI calculator provided. If your body mass index (BMI) is above the 85th percentile then joining the WEIGHTSAVVY TEENS & KIDS program will help you to alter your eating and exercise habits to bring you Body Mass Index (BMI) back to a healthy range.
How much do you weight?
How tall are you?
Apply these numbers to the formula to determine your BMI:
Your Weight / (Your Height)2 = BMI
Here is an example. This teenager is 12 years old, she weights 73 kilos (161lbs) and is 1.65 meters tall (5'.5”)
73 kilos / 1.65 m2 = 73 / (1.65) x (1.65) = 73 / 2.72 = 26.84% (overweight) unhealthy range
| Underweight | BMI-for-age <5th percentile | You fall below the 5th percentile curved line. |
| A healthy weight | BMI-for-age >5th to 85th percentile | You fall between the 5th and 85th percentile curved line. |
| At risk of being overweight | BMI-for-age >85th to <95th percentile | You fall between the 85th and 95th percentile curved line |
| Overweight | BMI-for-age >95th percentile | You fall above the 95th percentile curved line. |
| Obese | BMI-for-age >120th percentile | You fall well above the 95th percentile curved line. |
BMI CALCULATOR
This weight calculator is used as a general guideline to help parents, children and teens determine an average healthy weight. For a more accurate ideal personal weight, please contact a WeightSavvy clinic or your family physician.
