Body mass index (BMI) is a ratio of weight and height, and is a better assessment of obesity than weight alone. Using an accurate weight and height, BMI is calculated using the BMI forumula.

Boys and girls grow and develop at different rates. Based upon Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, a BMI percentile for children is calculated individually based on a child’s sex, age, height and weight. BMI percentiles are then used to categorize children according to whether they are underweight, healthy weight, overweight or obese. A higher BMI percentile indicates greater risk for having or developing obesity-related health problems. Health care professionals group BMI percentiles to categorize children as follows.

Obese: BMI-for-age and sex greater than or equal to 95th percentile
Overweight: BMI-for-age and sex between 85th and less than 95th percentiles
Healthy weight: BMI-for-age and sex between 5th and less than 85th percentiles
Underweight: BMI-for-age and sex less than 5th percentile

A BMI assessment is only a screening tool, and an individual child’s BMI should not be considered a definitive assessment of whether or not a child has a weight problem requiring attention. If parents have questions about the BMI assessment and their child’s weight, or want to screen for other conditions commonly associated with obesity, they should consider talking to a health professional. BMI is the most widely accepted measurement to screen for weight-related health problems. In a 2003 policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that physicians regularly calculate BMI. The Institute of Medicine in its 2007 report also recommended that schools conduct annual BMI assessments and make this information available to parents.

BMI is the most widely accepted measurement to screen for weight-related health problems. In a 2003 policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that physicians regularly calculate BMI.⁹ The Institute of Medicine in its 2007 report ¹⁰ also recommended that schools conduct annual BMI assessments and make this information available to parents.

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