Do not rely exclusively on BMI when it comes to children

Children who are already are overweight at an early age are more likely to have a higher bloodpressure and other future heart problems.

BMI and children

The body mass index (BMI) is a commonly used tool for measuring body fat based on a person’s weight and height. It has been widely used in both adults and children as an indicator of weight status and associated health risks. However, it is important to note that BMI alone should not be relied upon exclusively when it comes to children.

One of the reasons why BMI may not be as accurate in children is because they are still growing and developing. As a result, their body composition and weight can change rapidly over time, making it difficult to establish a consistent baseline for measurement. Additionally, children of different ages and genders may have varying rates of growth and development, which can affect their BMI.

Another limitation of BMI in children is that it does not take into account the distribution of body fat. Research has shown that the location of body fat, such as around the waist or hips, can have different implications for health risks. Therefore, a child with a BMI in the healthy range may still have an unhealthy amount of body fat.

To address these limitations, healthcare professionals may use additional methods for assessing children’s weight status, such as skinfold thickness measurements, waist circumference, and assessments of diet and physical activity. These methods can provide a more comprehensive picture of a child’s health risks and help identify potential interventions to promote healthy growth and development.

In conclusion, while BMI is a useful tool for measuring weight status in both adults and children, it should not be relied upon exclusively in children. Additional measurements and assessments should be used to provide a more accurate and comprehensive picture of a child’s health risks and help guide interventions to promote healthy growth and development.

Inaccurate estimates

Relying solely on the BMI chart in the assessment of child obesity creates inaccurate estimates. This news was recently published in the journal “Public Health”.

The study, led by Dr. Claire Griffiths has focused on childhood obesity. We looked at the waist BMI, abdominal circumference and waist-height ratio. Dr. Griffiths commented: “The BMI calculator is a useful method, however, may be better and more convenient to use a combination of BMI and waist circumference This is also recommended for adults Children seem to be getting thicker and if extra fat present then… this is worn around the waist. The latter can not be detected only by BMI chart.

The most shocking fact from the study is that by the time children reach the age of 15 to 16 years 25 percent of girls in the neighborhood is overweight. It is a waist circumference of 80 centimeters. Ten percent of the girls come around this age near diagnosed with “obesity”. It is a waist circumference of 88 centimeters.

Source: leedsmet.ac.uk.

We Help You Stay Healthy

Use a BMI Chart or Body Mass Index Chart to find your healthy weight.

The BMI formula is used for men, women and children. For children there are other BMI values than for adults. For adults the Body Mass Index is based on your weight and height and it tells you whether you have a healthy body weight.

Using a BMI chart is an easy way to assess your weight status.

By simply entering your height and weight into the calculator or looking up your height and weight on the chart, you can determine your BMI score and see which weight category you fall into.