Glossary · Growth

BMI percentile (children)

For children and teens, BMI is interpreted as a percentile against age- and sex-matched peers, not the adult BMI category. A pediatrician calls a child's BMI 'healthy weight' between the 5th and 85th percentile, 'overweight' from 85th to 95th, and 'obese' at or above the 95th. Adult BMI categories (e.g. 'BMI 30 = obese') do not apply to children.

Related terms

Growth chart
Growth spurt
Catch-up growth
Failure to thrive
Childhood obesity
WHO growth standards

Miriel uses this concept across food scans, meal plans, and AI Coach responses where it is relevant to a child's profile. For the underlying clinical and scientific basis, see the research page.