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BMI in Children

Most adults are familiar with what a BMI (Body Mass Index) is for them. Many know what it is, how it's figured, and what is considered to be a healthy range for average adults. After doing some math, you end up with a certain number and you can see where that number falls in relation to the expert-listed healthy range. With children, though, it is done a little differently. Using your child's height and weight, it is compared to other children of this age. Then, instead of ending up with a number such as 25 as a body mass index, you end up with a percentile. This means that you get to see exactly where your child falls in the range of other healthy children their age.

If your child is under the 5th percentile, this means that they are shorter and/or skinnier than more than 95% of children his age (and likely underweight). If your child is around the 50th percentile, this means that your child is exactly average in comparison to other kids their age, and if your child is over the 95th percentile, this means that they are overweight (bigger than 95% of children) when compared to other kids their age.

Experts say that if your child falls within the 5th-85th percentile, they are perfectly healthy for their age. If they are under the 5th, they are considered to be underweight, and if they are over the 95th, they are considered to be overweight. While everything under the 95th percentile is not yet considered overweight, once your child has reached the 85th percentile, experts believe that the child has a higher risk than average of becoming overweight.

Growth charts are used to track the average weights and heights of children at each individual age, and can easily be accessed over the internet or can be obtained from your child's doctor. Since girls and boys grow differently, reaching different weights at different times, their charts are not the same. It is important to use the proper chart if you are trying to determine where your child's BMI falls, because if you use the wrong one, it can make your child appear unhealthy when they really aren't.

Once you have determined your child's BMI and know whether they fall in a healthy range or not, then you can take steps to ensure that they either get into that range, or stay there.

If your child is underweight, you can talk to their pediatrician about how to help increase their calorie intake and help them reach a healthy weight. If your child falls into the overweight category, you can talk to their doctor about what you can do to help them lose weight. Usually, this will mean restricting and changing their diet, as well as boosting the amount of exercise your child should get on a daily basis. If your child is not yet overweight, but falls in the category of 85th to 95th percentile, meaning that they have an increased risk for becoming overweight, it is a good time to start making lifestyle changes that can help prevent this and will benefit your child for years to come.

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