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Understanding BMI for Children and Teens
Formula
BMI for children and teens is interpreted differently than for adults. Instead of fixed thresholds, a child's BMI is compared to other children of the same age and sex using CDC growth charts, resulting in a percentile ranking.
A BMI below the 5th percentile is underweight, 5th to 84th is healthy weight, 85th to 94th is overweight, and 95th or above indicates obesity. Consult your pediatrician for personalized guidance.
Common use cases:
- Pediatric health screening
- Tracking child growth over time
- Identifying weight concerns early
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