BMI Percentile Calculator for Child and Teen: Results
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Click here to enter data in order to display results.
Information Entered
Age (at measurement):
Sex:
Birth Date:
Height: inches
Weight: pounds
Height: cm
Weight: kg
Date of Measurement:
❗ This child or teenager has a BMI that is very far from the healthy weight range. Please check the accuracy of the information you entered. If the age, weight, and height values are correct, the following shows the calculated values for this child.
Results
Based on the height and weight entered, the BMI is , placing the BMI-for-age at percentile for -year-old s. This falls in the BMI category .
underweight, less than the 5th percentile
healthy weight, 5th percentile up to the 85th percentile
overweight, 85th to less than the 95th percentile
has obesity, equal to or greater than the 95th percentile
You can also view these results on a BMI-for-age Percentile Growth Chart.
What does this mean?
BMI is calculated using your child’s weight and height and is then used to find the corresponding BMI-for-age percentile for your child’s age and sex.
BMI-for-age percentile shows how your child’s weight compares to that of other children of the same age and sex. For example, a BMI-for-age percentile of 65 means that the child’s weight is greater than that of 65% of other children of the same age and sex.
What should you do?
Based on the height and weight entered, this child’s BMI falls in the category underweight. This child should be seen by a healthcare provider to further assess the child’s health and determine possible causes of underweight.
Based on the height and weight entered, this child’s BMI falls in the category healthy weight. BMI is a screening measure, so you should continue to see a healthcare provider regularly to assess the child’s health and development.
Based on the height and weight entered, this child’s BMI falls in the category overweight. This child should be seen by a healthcare provider to further assess the child’s health and determine possible causes of excess weight.
Based on the height and weight entered, this child’s BMI falls in the category obesity. This child should be seen by a healthcare provider to further assess the child’s health and determine possible causes of excess weight.
Regardless of the current BMI-for-age category, help your child or teen develop healthy weight habits and talk with your doctor or other healthcare provider as part of ongoing tracking of BMI-for-age. If your child has significant weight loss or gain, he or she should be referred to and guided by a doctor or other healthcare provider.
Practice healthy habits
Encourage children and teens to practice healthy habits by:
- Eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water.
- Making meal times a family affair. Have your children help with cooking and let them choose healthy foods as well.
- Helping your child find a physical activity they enjoy, and participating in physical activity on most (preferably all) days of the week.
- Getting adequate sleep.
- Limiting screen time.
- Taking time for self-care and stress reduction. Try strategies like breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, and journaling.
For more information, see Tips to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for Children and Teens.
Keep track of BMI-for-age
Check your child’s BMI-for-age at least once a year. Your child’s healthcare provider may recommend you check it more often.
Tracking growth patterns over time can help you make sure your child is achieving or maintaining a healthy weight. A single BMI-for-age calculation is not enough to evaluate long-term weight status because your child’s height and weight will change as they grow.
Keep in mind that this BMI calculator is not meant to serve as a source of clinical guidance and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Because BMI is a screening measure based on weight and height, it is only an estimate of body fatness. Individuals with the same BMI may have different amounts of body fat. Speak with your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about your weight status, or about the growth and development of your children.
