Body Mass Index (BMI) for Children and Adolescents
Overweight and obesity is a serious, chronic medical condition, which is linked with a wide array of debilitating and life threatening conditions. Large increases in obesity rates, particularly in western societies, have reached a point of quickly eroding the numerous recent health gains.
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A Body mass index (BMI) is used to forecast your approximate total amount of body fat. This is measured by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared (m2). For example:
Weight = 68 kg, Height = 165 cm (1.65 m)
Calculation: 68 ÷ (1.65)2 = 24.98
Differences in BMI between individuals of the same age and sex are commonly attributable to body fat. However there are exclusions to this rule, which means a BMI estimate might not be precise.
Body mass index is not always the best measure of weight and health risk. Someone’s waist circumference is a better forecaster of health risk than BMI.
BMI and children:
The healthy weight range for adults of a BMI of 20 to 25 is not appropriate measure for children.
For adults who have finished growing, an increase in BMI is commonly induced by an increase in body fat. But as children grow, their amount of body fat alters and so will their BMI. For instance, BMI generally decreases during the preschool years and then step-ups into adulthood.
In short, Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated from measurements of height and weight. A child is seen to be obese if BMI passes the cut-off point for that age. Growth charts such as weight-for-age and weight-for-height have specifically brought in for children aged from two years to 18 years, in addition to the normal range of updated weight and height growth charts, to specify if children are overweight or obese.
However, such charts should be employed only as a guide to point when to make small lifestyle alterations, and when to seek additional guidance for example from a doctor or your Accredited Practicing Dietitian.
Health care professionals are the best people to determine whether a child or adolescent’s weight is healthy, and they can assist in ruling-out rare medical conditions as the cause of unhealthy weight.
Comments:
• Always see your physician if you are worried about your child’s physical development.
• The BMI is used to measure whether someone is underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese.
• As children grow, their total of body fat alters and so will their BMI. That’s why a Body mass index calculation for a child or adolescent must bring into account their age and gender and it is done with the help of percentile charts.
Where to get help:
• Your doctor
• Maternal & Child Health nurse
• An accredited practicing dietitian
For more information on BMI for Children and Adolescents check with the department of health in your state.
Body mass index, BMI
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