Body Mass Index

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of weight relative to height, and can be used to indicate approximate body fat.   BMI is a screening tool used to help identify children and teens who may be at risk for obesity and other related conditions.   The screening tool used for children and teens is the BMI-for-age percentile and it is both age and sex specific.  Age and sex are considered for children because the amount of body fat changes with age and the amount of body fat differs between girls and boys.

Please keep in mind that the BMI measurement has the potential to overestimate body fat in those who have muscular builds and possibly underestimate body fat in persons who have lost muscle mass.

You can use the BMI calculator to estimate body fat.  The score may indicate the following:

• Underweight                      Less than 5th percentile
• Healthy Weight                  5th percentile to less than 85th percentile
• At risk of Overweight          85th to less than the 95th percentile
• Overweight                        Equal or greater than the 95th percentile

If you’re concerned about your child’s BMI or you have questions about how to reduce or increase their body fat, contact your local pediatrician.  For ideas about how to get more activity into your child’s day see LCHAY’s Lane County Activity Guide.

Nutrition resources and ideas for affordable, healthy recipes can be found here.