BMI Categories

The importance of clinically identifying children with severe obesity is increasing, as these children are at particularly high risk for medical and probably psychological complications and may need to be specifically targeted for treatment. Pediatric practitioners can use the 99th percentile BMI cutoff points listed in Table 2. These are not included on the current growth charts.

Table 2. 99th Percentile BMI Cutoff Points According to Age and Gender

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99th Percentile BMI Cutoff Point kg/m2    
Age Boys Girls
5 20.1 21.5
6 21.6 23.0
7 23.6 24.6
8 25.6 26.4
9 27.6 28.2
10 29.3 29.9
11 30.7 31.5
12 31.8 33.1
13 32.6 34.6
14 33.2 37.5
15 33.6 37.5
16 33.9 39.1
17 34.4 40.8

Simple formulas can be used to calculate BMI.

English Formula:

 Matric Formula:

Toolkit Base: