Health Library

Body Mass Index (BMI)

BMI stands for body mass index. BMI uses your child’s weight and height. It is given to you as a number. Using this number, you can see how your child’s growth compares with other children who are the same age and gender. This is called BMI-for-age Percentile.

BMI-for-Age Percentile

BMI-for-Age Percentile

Underweight, less than the 5th percentile

Healthy weight, 5th percentile up to the 85th percentile

Overweight, 85th to less than the 95th percentile

Has obesity, equal to or greater than the 95th percentile

High muscle mass may affect the BMI-for-age percentile.

Tips for Reaching A Healthy BMI-Think 5-2-1-0

BMI-for-Age percentile is only one measure of a healthy life. To help your child get to and/or stay at a healthy weight, follow these guidelines. 

5 Eat at least 5 fruit or vegetables servings every day. 

2 Limit screen time (TV, video games, computer) to less than 2 hours per day. 

1 Get at least 1 hour of activity every day. Go for a walk, play outside, dance or jump rope. 

0 Get zero calories from drinks except for skim, fat-free or 1% milk.

Adapted from the CDC Healthy Weight.