Calculator: children's BMI Is the child overweight, ideal weight or underweight?

Calculator: BMI for children. Is the child overweight, ideal or underweight?

BMI for children and children's age? Why should we monitor BMI in children, you ask? 

Odpoveď je riziková nadváha, obezita, taktiež i podvýživa.

In contrast, BMI for adults has some peculiarities and is assessed differently in childhood.

Tracking body weight by BMI has its pitfalls, but if we follow and understand it correctly, we can bounce back from this figure, and this is also true for childhood.

BMI for adults takes into account height, weight, and by correlating them, estimates the level of body fat. 

BMI does not measure subcutaneous and body fat, but the value in most cases reflects an approximate state.
Inaccuracy in the result should be taken into account in people with a high proportion of muscle mass (strength training, bodybuilding).

In the period of infancy, in addition to weight, two other characteristics must be taken into account. These are age and height.

Let's not forget gender (or trait number 3). Since there are several differences between the sexes during development.

However, this is not all. Height, weight and age are added to the specifics of a given growth/rearing period. 

Why is that, you ask?

The reason is the constant changes. The amount and distribution of adipose tissue across the body changes due to growth.

High or low body weight?

What is a lot and what is a little can be assessed by statistical data that is obtained using percentile charts (Similar to assessing growth and growth curve, height and weight for a given age - link to calculator below).

Percentile charts, tables, and thus results compare the child with the values of other children for a particular age. 

It should be remembered that a single measurement is not an objective result.

The evaluation of the growth curve and therefore the growth dynamics of the child belongs to the hands of the pediatrician, i.e. the pediatrician. He assesses, on the basis of several examinations, how the child is doing with development. 

Of course, if necessary, medical examinations are carried out more often and the causes of deviations are searched for.

Table: to explain the result of percentile for body weight in children older than 2 years and adolescents (up to 18/20 years)

The result is indicative of a statistic and not a medical condition.

Percentiles are divided into several zones: 

• 97th percentile = the child is heavier/higher than 97% and lighter/lower than 3% of children his/her age.
• 95th percentile = 95% of children are shorter and 5% are taller at a given age (also applies to weight).
• 90th percentile = 90 per cent of children are shorter/lighter and 10 per cent taller or heavier.
• 75th percentile = 75% of children are shorter in height and weight and 25% are taller.
• 50th percentile = 50% of the children are taller and 50% are shorter, i.e. lighter/heavier.
• 25th percentile = child is higher than 25% and lower than 75% of children of the same age, the same for weight.
• 10th percentile = the child is higher than 10% and lower than 90% of children his/her age/ the same for weight.
• 5th percentile = 5% weigh less and 95% have a higher weight, the same is true for height.
• 3 percentile = 3% of children are shorter and 97% of children of a given age are taller, equally valid for body weight.
• Mean height/weight zone = 25th - 75th percentile = average growth trend.
• Marginal values = 97th and 3rd percentile - the doctor will suggest more frequent check-ups and monitor the growth curve more often.

Note:
Percentiles are a statistical figure.

Dr. Khan says there is no ideal percentile. There are healthy children in every height and weight category, and a child in the 5th or 95th percentile can be just as healthy. 

Remember: BMI is not a tool for diagnosing health problems or diseases. It is a tool for screening and monitoring a child's growth. 

But back to the overweight and obesity...

Of course, if the child, regardless of the need and consumption of the body, consistently and over a long period of time takes in excessive amounts of energy, or calories, these will then be stored in the form of reserves - fat.

Increasing centimetres of fat also have a negative impact on children and their health. 

Here are some research-based facts:

• On average, up to 80% of obese children remain obese in adulthood.
• 60% of children aged 5 to 17 years have at least 1 risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• 25% of children have two or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
• Worldwide, an estimated 155 million children and adolescents are overweight and obese.
• Overweight and obesity negatively affects health and is a risk to development:
• high blood pressure
• high blood cholesterol levels
• diabetes
• asthma
• sleep apnea
• joint and musculoskeletal disorders
• liver damage
• different types of cancer
• psychological problems, stress, anxiety and depression
• lowering the child/adolescent's self-esteem

Obesity even in childhood leads to atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome and increased cardiovascular risk = risk of stroke and myocardial infarction in adulthood (and at a significantly younger age).

It also works the other way around if the child will be malnourished for a long time. Insufficient supply of necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals will negatively affect not only growth, height and weight, but also health.

Let us therefore not forget a sufficient exercise regime in children and a varied rational diet with sufficient drinking.

Children should grow up in a calm, stress-reduced environment with sufficient support from loved ones.

Our other useful calculators: 

• Calculator: ideal weight and height in children Calculation by age/growth
• Drinking regime - Calculator: how much water should I drink per day?
• BMI Index Calculator - For Adults
• WHR Index Calculator:Waist to Hip Ratio Calculation
• ABSI Index Calculator Calculate your risk of obesity by body shape

Our other interesting links to articles: 

• Overweight and obesity in children, adolescents and young adults. What can we do?
• How to lead children to a healthy lifestyle? Education for health
• Essential nutrients in the human diet: what are proteins, sugars, fats?
• What is metabolic syndrome and what are its most common complications?
• Obesity and its health consequences. It is not just a problem of aesthetics
• BMI: How to calculate body mass index (in adults)?