BMI Calculator for Children – Calculate Ideal Weight

Body weight is an everyday issue for many people. For some, achieving and maintaining the ideal weight is a struggle. For others, BMI values are just as much a part of everyday life as regular food intake or sufficient sleep.

The Body Mass Index (BMI) determines the ratio of weight to height. It provides information on whether the kilos displayed on the scale are in the normal range, above, or below.

In short, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Body Mass Index (BMI) is considered a guide to personal ideal weight. It is not only meaningful for adults. A BMI calculator for children can provide information about the state of weight at an early age.

Why does BMI only make sense for children from the age of 8?

Triggered by a healthy portion of baby fat, infants often end up being overweight. In infancy, the body fat percentage generally decreases. It then rises again from the age of seven.

The weight of small children can therefore sometimes fluctuate greatly. Especially before growth spurts, children often experience excessive hunger. This, of course, affects their weight. Therefore, during this period, the BMI calculator should be used in consultation with a pediatrician or a BMI table for children.

And speaking of growth spurts: even the most precise calculation is inaccurate unless the respective height is also included. For correct and meaningful results at any age, there is therefore not only the BMI table for children but also a BMI calculator for infants.

BMI for children – calculate your BMI value yourself

Calculating the basic formula for BMI is quite simple. The formula for BMI for women, BMI for men, and BMI for children is the same:

Unlike the BMI calculator for adults, the formula for calculating the BMI for children must be adjusted accordingly. ^​1​ There are so-called percentiles for this, which are used for a correct calculation of the mass index in children. After all, you want a meaningful result and not one that certifies that children are overweight where none exists.

You can find out which points to consider for children and adolescents and what percentiles are in the following sections.

In addition to the BMI for children, what else should be considered?

Children and adolescents are still growing. It is therefore important to factor in various aspects when it comes to the body mass index in children .

Growth differs between girls and boys. The body fat mass can develop very differently in the different growth phases. Therefore, weight alone says little about the health of children. If you observe any abnormalities, it is definitely advisable to visit a doctor.

What exactly are percentiles?

Percentile curves are used to find out where a child stands in terms of body and weight development compared to their peers. These percentiles are standard value curves composed of samples from thousands of children and adolescents.

Percentile 50 describes the exact average. However, all values between percentiles 5 and 95 are also considered not to be unusual. Therefore, they do not require closer assessment by a physician at this time.

However, it is definitely good to keep an eye on your child's weight. According to the Working Group on Obesity in Children and Adolescents, one in five children is already overweight. By regularly calculating BMI values, you can prevent such cases.

If you want to encourage or support your children, you can calculate your own BMI at the same time. This way, you can work together towards a healthy lifestyle and reach your ideal weight.