BMI

BMI (CDC)

Body Mass Index (BMI):

Height (cm):

Height must be between 40 and 220

Weight (kg):

Weight must be between 1 and 150

Body Mass Index (BMI):

$$BMI = \frac{weight(kg)}{height(m)^2}$$

BMI Calculator for Child and Teen (CDC):

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Gender

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Male

Female

Age

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Years, Months

Months

Date of Birth, Date of Measurement

years (2 to 19)

months (0 to 11)

months (24 to 239)

Date of Birth

Month January February March April May June July August September October November December Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Year

Date of Measurement

Month January February March April May June July August September October November December Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Year

Please select an age between 2 and 19 years old.

Height

(decimal places allowed) (to nearest 1/8^th inch)

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Feet, Inches, Fraction

Inches

ft

in

1/8 1/4 3/8 1/2 5/8 3/4 7/8 fraction of an inch

(12 inches = 1 foot; Example: 4 feet, 5 1/2 inches)

in

Height

(decimal places allowed)

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centimeters (cm)

Weight

(decimal places allowed) (to nearest 1/4^th (0.25) pound)

Select Weight

Pounds

Pounds, Fraction

lbs

lbs

1/8 1/4 3/8 1/2 5/8 3/4 7/8 fraction of a pound

(8 ounces = 1/2 pound; Example: 75 3/4 pounds)

Weight

(decimal places allowed)

Select Weight

kilograms (kg)

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Calculated Results

0

BMI

category

BMI Category

0^th

BMI Percentile

%

Percent of the 95th Percentile

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Information Entered

Age (at measurement):

Sex:

Date of Birth:

Date of Measurement:

Height:

Weight:

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On this page

What does this mean?

What can parents, caregivers, and teens do?

What can healthcare providers do?

Additional Resources

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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 at above less than the 0^th percentile, which means that this child's BMI is less greater 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 5^th percentile at or above the 5^th to less than the 85^th percentile at or above the 85^th to less than the 95^th percentile at or above the 95^th percentile at or above 120% of the 95^th percentile for sex and age or a BMI that is at or above 35 kg/m².

Detailed Results, Growth Chart, and Resources

Body mass index-for-age percentiles: s, 2 to 20 years

* This child's BMI of can't be displayed on this growth chart.

* This child's BMI of can't be displayed on this growth chart.

* This child's BMI of can't be displayed on this growth chart.

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
Underweight	Less than the 5th percentile
Healthy Weight	5th percentile to less than the 85th percentile
Overweight	85th percentile to less than the 95th percentile
Obesity	95th percentile or greater
Severe Obesity	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. Tips to Support Healthy Routines for Children and Teens

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.

Please keep in mind that BMI is a screening measure and is not intended to diagnose disease or illness. 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.

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. Learn about the Family Healthy Weight Program

Additional Resources

More Information

• Health Consequences of Obesity | CDC
• Preventing Childhood Obesity: 4 ThingsFamilies Can Do | CDC
• Other Factors in Weight Gain | Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity | CDC

Nutrition

• Benefits of Eating Healthy | CDC
• Water and Healthier Drinks | CDC

Wellness

• Are You Getting Enough Sleep? | CDC

Physical Activity

• Making Physical Activity a Part of a Child’s Life | CDC

More Information

• Health Consequences of Obesity | CDC
• Preventing Childhood Obesity: 4 Things Families Can Do | CDC

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BMI (Body Mass Index) is an important clinical tool in pediatric practice with several key use cases:

1. Screening for Overweight and Obesity: BMI is used as a screening tool to identify children who may be overweight or obese. Pediatricians routinely calculate BMI during well-child visits to monitor growth patterns and assess weight status. Identifying excessive weight gain early allows for timely intervention and prevention of obesity-related health problems.
2. Assessment of Growth and Development: BMI provides a standardized measure of body composition relative to height, allowing healthcare providers to assess a child’s growth and development over time. Deviations from expected BMI percentiles may indicate growth disorders, nutritional deficiencies, or underlying medical conditions that require further evaluation and management.
3. Risk Assessment for Health Conditions: Elevated BMI in children is associated with an increased risk of various health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, orthopedic problems, and psychosocial issues. Pediatricians use BMI as a marker for assessing a child’s risk of developing these conditions and other obesity-related complications. Early identification of high-risk individuals allows for targeted interventions to mitigate health risks and improve long-term outcomes.
4. Guiding Interventions: BMI measurements guide healthcare providers in formulating appropriate interventions for overweight and obese children. These interventions may include lifestyle modifications (such as dietary changes and increased physical activity), behavioral counseling, and referral to specialized weight management programs or multidisciplinary care teams. Tailoring interventions based on BMI helps address individual needs and preferences, leading to more effective outcomes.
5. Monitoring Treatment Progress: For children undergoing weight management interventions or treatment for obesity-related health conditions, regular monitoring of BMI helps track progress and assess the effectiveness of interventions. Changes in BMI over time provide valuable feedback on the success of interventions and guide adjustments to treatment plans as needed to achieve desired outcomes.
6. Prevention Strategies: BMI data collected at the population level provides valuable insights into the prevalence of childhood obesity and helps inform public health initiatives aimed at prevention. By identifying high-risk groups and targeting interventions at the community level, public health efforts can promote healthy behaviors, improve access to nutritious foods, and create environments conducive to physical activity, thereby reducing the burden of childhood obesity and its associated health consequences.
7. Research and Epidemiology: BMI data from pediatric populations are utilized in research studies and epidemiological surveys to investigate trends in childhood obesity, identify risk factors, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. Research findings contribute to the development of evidence-based guidelines, policies, and programs aimed at addressing the complex factors influencing childhood obesity and promoting healthy weight management practices.

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