What Parents Should Know About Kids BMI

Childhood obesity has become a noticeable concern all over the world. According to WHO About 40 million+ children under the age of 5 years are considered overweight (above the child’s BMI range). Body Mass Index, also known as BMI is a tool that is used to measure fat in the bodies of children and adults. This is an important tool for parents and healthcare professionals to keep an eye on a child's growth and development.

In this blog, we will be discussing factors about:

1. Kids' BMI
2. Pros and Cons of BMI
3. What parents must know about their child’s BMI.

Importance of BMI for Kids - What Should Parents Know:

BMI is an important tool to get an idea of body fat. BMI is calculated using a child's weight and height. BMI can be used to determine if the child is underweight, overweight, or normal weight. This tool is an important and valuable tool as it can monitor a child’s physical development and raise concern for parents if the child is underweight or obese. By comparing a baby's BMI percentile with others of the same age and gender, healthcare professionals can identify potential weight-related health problems early and develop strategies to promote healthy weight management."

Pros And Cons of BMI

The results of the use of BMI in children has been a debate for over a decade. Some healthcare providers say that BMI is an inappropriate tool to measure body fat in kids. The accuracy of BMI results can be affected by a number of factors such as age, gender, and muscle weight. Also, another drawback of the BMI tool is that it cannot differentiate between body weight and muscle weight, which can give an inaccurate result of a child’s weight status.

On a positive side, BMI is an easy to use tool which can provide important information about a child’s growth and development. The tool can be used by parents and professionals over time to monitor a child’s weight. Parents understand that being obese or underweight brings lots of health problems. So by monitoring their children’s weight, they could identify possible health problems beforehand, and help children in healthy weight management. There are many other benefits of BMI. Read further to know!

What are the Benefits of BMI for Children?

There are numerous advantages of BMI for children. Firstly, BMI can help parents and medical professionals to understand potential health issues and develop strategies to overcome and maintain healthy weight in children. Furthermore, BMI can also help children in maintaining a healthy weight and reduce risk of several chronic medical conditions that may include diabetes, blood pressure and even heart diseases. Also, Monitoring the BMI of kindergarten children can help ensure they maintain a healthy BMI, which is important for their overall health and well-being."

Tips for Parents on How to Calculate their Kid’s BMI

How to calculate BMI percentile

It is very simple to calculate the BMI of your children. Parents are free to use any online BMI calculator or can consult any healthcare provider to check their children's BMI. However, it is also very important for parents to note that BMI is only one tool to monitor a child's weight status and it must be used in conjunction with different important factors like the child’s eating habits, physical activities, and family history etc.

Here are some tips for parents to calculate their child’s BMI:
1. Note down your child’s weight and height accurately by measuring it through a reliable measuring scale/tape/machine.
2. An online calculator can be used or parents can get the help from health professionals to determine a child's BMI.
3. Parents who have calculated their child’s BMI themselves, make sure to get it rechecked by a professional who can guide if the child is healthy or needs some attention.
4. If a child is overweight or underweight, parents can ask the healthcare provider to give an effective diet plan to encourage healthy weight management.
Note: BMI for preschoolers and adults may be different.

What is the main purpose of BMI?

The main purpose of the BMI is to assess a person’s weight and determine if the person is healthy, obese, or underweight. The tool is used by professionals to identify individuals who may be at high-risk of chronic weight related illness.

What is considered a normal growth rate for Kids to Teenagers?

The normal growth rate for kids and teenagers can vary based on several factors such as genetics, nutrition, and overall health. Typically, children grow at a steady pace until they reach puberty, after which growth spurts occur, and their height and weight can increase rapidly.

Here's a chart to help you understand the average growth rates that are considered normal for children ages 1-18