Learn how to calculate BMI, all you need is knowledge and a calculator

BMI or body mass index is used differently for different children while it can be calculated almost the same way as for all adults. BMI calculator for teens actually works differently as it works with the adults. Instead of set thresholds for underweight as well as overweight, the BMI percentile allows the comparison with teens of the same sex as well as age.

Let’s take a look at the various levels of BMI calculator for teens. The teens, who are having a BMI of less than the 5th percentile, are considered underweight while above the 95th percentile are considered obese. The teens with a BMI between the 85th and 95th percentile will always be considered to be overweight. Some recent studies in Britain have also indicated the fact that females between the ages 12 and 16 have a higher BMI than males of the same age by 1.0 kg/m2 on an average.

Basically, in order to measure the BMI in teens, some factors are taken into consideration, even though these factors may differ from organization to organization. These factors are birth date and year, date of measurement, sex, height to nearest 1/8 inch, weight to nearest 1/4 (.25) pound etc. Calculating BMI using the BMI Percentile Calculator involves some steps. Before calculating BMI, take the accurate height and weight measurements and calculate the BMI and percentile using the BMI calculator for teens. The BMI number will be calculated using standard formulas.

And then review the calculated BMI for age percentile. The BMI for age percentile can be used to interpret the BMI number as BMI is age and sex specific for teens. Now, find the weight status category for the calculated BMI for age percentile. The BMI calculator for teens provides the BMI as well as the corresponding BMI for age percentile on a CDC BMI for age growth chart. However, healthy weight ranges can not be given for teens for the simple reasons that healthy weight ranges change with each month of age and for each sex and healthy weight ranges change as height grows.

BMI is actually used as a screening tool in order to identify possible weight problems in teens. CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend the use of BMI to screen for overweight and obesity in teens beginning from 13 years. But BMI calculator for teens is not a diagnostic tool. A teen may have a high BMI for his age and sex, but to determine if he has excess fat or not is a problem. And then a health care provider will need further assessments. These assessments include skinfold thickness measurements, evaluations of diet, physical activity, family history etc.