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About

Adult BMI metrics do not apply to children. For girls aged 2 to 19, body composition changes rapidly with age. This tool uses the CDC and WHO growth reference data to calculate a "Percentile" ranking. A result at the 85th percentile means the child has a higher BMI than 85% of her peers. This context is essential for parents and pediatricians to track growth patterns and identify early signs of health issues.

child BMI growth chart percentile pediatrics girls

Formulas

Child BMI is calculated the same as adults, but interpreted differently:

BMI = WeightHeight2

The Z-score (Z) is derived using the LMS parameters (L, M, S) for the specific age:

Z = (BMI / M)L 1L S

This Z-score is then converted to a percentile using standard normal distribution integration.

Reference Data

Percentile RangeCategoryInterpretation
< 5thUnderweightMay indicate malnutrition or underlying metabolic issues.
5th - 84thHealthy WeightOptimal growth trajectory for age and height.
85th - 94thOverweightRisk zone. Lifestyle adjustments often recommended.
95thObesityHigh risk of developing adult obesity and diabetes.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 10-year-old girl with a BMI of 23 is considered obese (95th percentile), whereas an adult with a BMI of 23 is normal. Using an adult calculator for a child will lead to dangerous misdiagnosis.
LMS refers to Lambda (skewness), Mu (median), and Sigma (coefficient of variation). These are statistical constants derived from thousands of children to normalize the growth curves across different ages.
Pediatricians typically check this annually. Sudden jumps across percentile lines (e.g., crossing from 50th to 85th) are more significant than the absolute number itself.