Health Guide

BMI for Children — How It Differs from Adult BMI

CalcHub Pro  ·  April 2026  ·  5 min read

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Overview

Adult BMI charts are not appropriate for children. Child BMI must be interpreted against age and sex-specific reference charts that account for normal growth patterns.

The Formula

BMI = Weight ÷ Height² (same formula) | But use age-sex percentile charts for interpretation

Standard formula used by professionals worldwide

Worked Example

Step-by-step

Child BMI 22 at age 12 may be healthy. Same BMI at age 6 would indicate obesity.

Key Points

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentile is healthy for children?

5th to 85th percentile is healthy weight. Above 95th percentile is obese.

When does adult BMI apply?

From age 18 (some guidelines use 20). Before this use paediatric growth charts.

Should overweight children diet?

Only under medical supervision. The goal is usually to maintain weight while growing taller.

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