Body Mass Index for teenagers
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on your height and weight. You can either consult the BMI chart for teenagers or use the BMI calculator provided below to determine your body mass index.
Body Mass Index calculator
Enter your weight, height, age, and gender using standard or metric units in the BMI calculator below:
This BMI calculator for teenagers is not intended to replace the evaluation of a healthcare professional. Healthy BMI ranges are based on the 50th percentile of height, and that a child's BMI can be affected by a variety of factors, including genetics, diet, and physical activity levels.
What is a good BMI for teenagers?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely-used tool for determining whether an individual is at a healthy weight for their height. However, for teenagers, BMI calculations can be a bit more complex.
BMI calculations for teenagers (BMI calculator teenagers) are based on percentiles that are adjusted for age and gender. However, BMI is only one factor in a teenager's overall health status. By working with a healthcare provider and focusing on healthy habits and overall wellness, teenagers can ensure that they are maintaining a healthy weight and taking care of their bodies and minds.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have established the following categories for teenagers (boys and girls) based on their Body Mass Index (BMI):
Healthy BMI for children
| Age | Healthy BMI range | Gender and percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 13 years old | 15.7 and 22.2 | Boy or girl in the 50th percentile of height |
| 14 years old | 16.1 and 22.9 | Boy or girl in the 50th percentile of height |
| 15 years old | 16.4 and 23.4 | Boy or girl in the 50th percentile of height |
| 16 years old | 16.6 and 23.8 | Boy or girl in the 50th percentile of height |
| 17 years old | 16.8 and 24.2 | Boy or girl in the 50th percentile of height |
| 18 years old | 16.9 and 24.4 | Boy or girl in the 50th percentile of height |
| 19 years old | 18.5 and 24.9 | Boy or girl in the 50th percentile of height |
BMI chart teenagers
Find below a children BMI chart for boys and girls:
Use the links below to see detailed BMI charts by gender and age:
bmi chart women bmi chart men bmi chart by age bmi chart for women by age bmi chart for men by ageTeen BMI calculator complexity
Teenagers are typically defined as individuals between the ages of 13 and 19 years old. This is the age range in which most individuals go through puberty, experience significant physical and emotional changes, and develop greater independence and identity.
As a result, using a BMI calculator (BMI calculator teenagers) as the sole indicator of a teenager’s health status can be challenging compared to an adult. That's because BMI doesn't take into account factors like muscle mass, bone density, and the distribution of fat throughout the body.
According to the World Health Organization, to address these concerns, BMI calculations for teenagers are based on percentiles that are adjusted for age and gender. When a healthcare provider calculates a child's BMI, they will use the child's age, gender, height, and weight to determine their BMI percentile. The BMI percentile indicates the percentage of children or teenagers of the same age and gender who have a lower BMI than the child being evaluated.
For example, if a 12-year-old boy has a BMI percentile of 75, that means that 75% of boys his age have a lower BMI than he does. In this case, the child may be considered overweight or obese.
It's essential to note that BMI percentiles are not a definitive measure of a teenager's health status. If a teenager falls outside the "normal" range, it doesn't necessarily mean that they are unhealthy. Factors like genetics, lifestyle, and overall health status also play a role in a teenager's weight and health.