Body mass index (BMI) is a measurement that is used to determine if a person is at a healthy weight for their height and age. It is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. For example, if a 12-year-old weighs 50 kilograms and is 1.52 meters tall, their BMI would be calculated as (50 / 1.52 x 1.52) = 22.1.
BMI is an important measure for children because it can help to identify those who are at risk for being overweight or obese. Overweight and obesity are associated with a number of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some types of cancer. BMI can also be used to track a child’s growth over time and to make sure that they are on target for a healthy weight.