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What is BMI-For-Age?

D. Messmer
D. Messmer

BMI-for-age, also known as body mass index for age, is a concept that uses the standard body mass index calculation but, in evaluating that BMI, takes the person's age into account. The body changes as we grow older, so the amount of fat content that is normal changes as we age. Taking this into account is important when using BMI to determine whether a person is overweight or underweight. BMI for age has important implications for adults as they age but is a term that is most common when discussing issues of childhood obesity.

Calculating the BMI of any person, whether an adult or child, is relatively simple. The subject begins by measuring his or her height and weight. To calculate the BMI, the subject simply multiplies the weight in pounds by 703, then divides this value by the height in inches squared. When using metric values to calculate the BMI, the subject simply uses the weight in kilograms and divides that number by the height in meters.

Like adults, children need to exercise to maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI).
Like adults, children need to exercise to maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI).

Adjusting the BMI-for-age is particularly important when using BMI to evaluate the health of a child because children's bodies undergo such substantial changes as they grow and develop. A healthy BMI for a fully developed adult might be very different from the healthy BMI for a child. As a result, rather than adhering to the standard chart of BMI values, evaluating a baby's BMI is done using a percentile system to determine whether a child might be overweight, underweight or obese.

As people age, their body mass index (BMI) typically drops.
As people age, their body mass index (BMI) typically drops.

The percentile system that BMI-for-age uses compares the BMI of a child to other children of that same age group. Generally, when a child's BMI is in or above the 95th percentile for his or her age group, this means that the child is overweight. When the BMI is at or below the fifth percentile, then the child is underweight. When the BMI is between the 85th and 95th percentile, this can indicate that a child is at risk for becoming overweight.

A child's weight and height percentile should be examined periodically to gauge her physical progress.
A child's weight and height percentile should be examined periodically to gauge her physical progress.

BMI-for-age is not important only when determining healthy BMI levels for children, though. The body development of adults is not as extreme or as fast as that of children, but adults' bodies do, nevertheless, undergo changes as they age. As men and women enter middle age, they tend to see a rise in BMI. When they reach old age, BMI can drop, sometimes to unhealthy levels. To account for these bodily changes, it is important to use BMI-for-age values to determine the healthiest BMI levels for people of all ages.

Discussion Comments

SteamLouis

Obesity among children has increased so much in the past couple of years. To try and control this, I read that the government is now trying to screen school aged children to see if they are obese or at risk of being obese. They are doing this using the body mass index and and are comparing children's BMI within each age group or class level. The goal is to have these results reach the children's families so that they may do something about it.

Many of the parents I know are very careful about their kids' diets and they provide them with healthy meals at home. But kids can eat very unhealthy at school and outside of the home. I'm also worried about how inactive kids are these days. TV and video games have definitely played a role in this.

I think sometimes parents are so busy trying to manage everything, they don't realize that their children is gaining or losing weight or how active or inactive they really are. So I'm glad that there is BMI screening to help warn parents if there is a risk.

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    • Like adults, children need to exercise to maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI).
      By: micromonkey
      Like adults, children need to exercise to maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI).
    • As people age, their body mass index (BMI) typically drops.
      By: diego cervo
      As people age, their body mass index (BMI) typically drops.
    • A child's weight and height percentile should be examined periodically to gauge her physical progress.
      By: Tatyana Gladskih
      A child's weight and height percentile should be examined periodically to gauge her physical progress.
    • People who are classified as obese typically have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above.
      By: Kokhanchikov
      People who are classified as obese typically have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above.
    • Calculating a baby's BMI requires measuring both weight and height.
      By: anmalkov
      Calculating a baby's BMI requires measuring both weight and height.
    • Jumping on a trampoline may help a child combat obesity.
      By: robhainer
      Jumping on a trampoline may help a child combat obesity.
    • Excessive alcohol consumption over a period of time may cause obesity.
      By: Nitr
      Excessive alcohol consumption over a period of time may cause obesity.