How to Calculate Pediatric BMI
Calculating your child's body mass index may be a better indicator of whether he is in the correct weight range than simply using his weight alone. BMI measurements also take height into account, making the result a more complete picture of where your child falls in regards to his weight. The Centers for Disease Control finds that BMI calculations are the best way to screen for obesity in children. However, it is important to note that while a high BMI may be indicative of obesity, it is not automatically a diagnosis. If your child's BMI falls in the range of obesity, further test and examination by your pediatrician is required.
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Instructions
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Weigh your child on the scale, writing the results on the paper.
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2
Measure your child's height using the measuring tape. Note the results on the paper.
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Using the calculator, multiply the height measurement in inches, by itself, essentially squaring the figure. Note the resulting figure on the paper. For example, if your child is 4 feet, 2 inches tall, you multiply her height in inches, 50, by itself: 50x50=2,500.
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Divide the weight measurement, in pounds, by the height squared figure. Jot down your result. So, if your child weighs 75 lbs at the height of 4 feet, 2 inches, you divide 75 by 2,500, equaling .03.
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Multiply the figure gained from dividing the weight by the height squared by 703. Continuing with the example, you multiply .03 by 703 to equal 21.1.
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Write down this final figure. This is your child's BMI. Your child, at 4 feet, 2 inches and weighing 75 pounds, has a body mass index of 21.1.
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Tips & Warnings
Online BMI calculators are available at websites such as CDC.gov to do the math for you.
The results of your child's BMI can be translated by consulting the CDC growth charts for children, and checking to see in what percentile your child falls. If your child's BMI falls below the 5th percentile, he is considered underweight. If he falls between the 5th and 84th percentile, he is considered normal. Falling between the 85th and 94th percentile, he is considered overweight. A BMI over the 95th percentile is considered obese.
If you have any concerns over the results of your child's BMI, speak with your pediatrician.
