Why adult cut-offs do not apply
Body fat changes a lot as children grow, and differs between boys and girls. A BMI of 18 can be normal for a 12-year-old and low for an adult. So children's BMI is plotted on BMI-for-age charts and read as a percentile.
Which charts are used in India
| Age | Chart | Overweight / obesity lines |
|---|---|---|
| Under 5 years | WHO Child Growth Standards | Based on WHO z-scores |
| 5 to 18 years | IAP 2015 growth charts | Adult-equivalent BMI 23 (overweight) and 27 (obesity) |
The IAP 2015 charts were built from Indian children's data. The adult-equivalent lines show the BMI-for-age that tracks into an adult BMI of 23 or 27.
About our child mode
The child mode on our calculator gives an approximate percentile from a simplified reference. It is useful for a quick check at home, but it is not a clinical assessment. If you are concerned about your child's weight or growth, ask your paediatrician to plot it on the IAP chart.
Try it yourself. Get your own result in seconds with the free Height Weight Calculator.
Open the Height Weight CalculatorFrequently asked questions
What BMI is overweight for a child in India?
For ages 5 to 18, IAP uses the BMI-for-age line equivalent to an adult BMI of 23 for overweight and 27 for obesity.
Can I use the adult BMI chart for my teenager?
No. Under 18, use BMI-for-age charts.
Sources
- Revised IAP growth charts for 5–18 year old Indian children (Indian Pediatrics, 2015)
- WHO Child Growth Standards
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