Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95 th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex. These percentiles are calculated from the CDC growth charts, which were based on national survey data collected from 1963-65 to 1988-94 4. Due to changes in weight and height with age, as well as their relation to body fatness, BMI levels among children and teens are expressed relative to other children of the same sex and age. Is BMI interpreted the same way for children and teens as it is for adults?īMI is interpreted differently for children and teens even though it is calculated with the same formula. With individuals, health care providers should consider BMI along with other factors such as family history, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and eating patterns and physical activity level. A single BMI-for-age calculation is not enough to evaluate long-term weight status because your child’s height and weight will change as they grow. Tracking growth patterns over time can help you make sure your child is achieving or maintaining a healthy weight. If your child has significant weight loss or gain, he or she should be referred to and guided by a doctor or other healthcare provider. Regardless of the current BMI-for-age category, help your child or teen develop healthy weight habits and talk with your doctor or other healthcare provider as part of ongoing tracking of BMI-for-age. For children and teens, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age. It is an inexpensive and easy way to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. Body mass index (BMI) is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters.

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