BMI across different age groups: Interpreting results
In interpreting your BMI value, you must consider your age group. There are three distinct age groups that affect the interpretation of a BMI value: children, adults, and seniors.
It’s important to consider age group when interpreting a BMI result.
BMI in children
Body mass index (BMI) for children and teens is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age. The BMI percentile-ranges for children are as follows:
- Underweight: Less than the 5th percentile
- Healthy Weight: 5th percentile to less than the 85th percentile
- Overweight: 85th percentile to less than the 95th percentile
- Obesity: 95th percentile or greater
BMI in adults
For adults, BMI is interpreted using standard weight status categories:
- Underweight: Below 18.5
- Normal or healthy weight: 18.5-24.9
- Overweight: 25-29.9
- Obese: 30 and above
BMI in seniors
The interpretation of BMI for seniors is slightly different. According to the National Institutes of Health, it may be better for seniors to have a BMI of 25 to 27. Some research suggests that a healthy BMI range for seniors is between 23 and 33.
- bmi