Measuring
body mass index (BMI)
Body
mass index (BMI) is a calculation that uses your child’s height and weight to
estimate how much body fat he has. Your doctor uses BMI to determine whether
your child is the appropriate weight for his age and height.
From
the age of 2 years, a BMI check forms part of your child’s regular checkups. The
doctor checks your child’s BMI against other children and then puts the
measurements on a standard child growth chart. There are separate charts for
boys and girls to account for growth and body fat differences. After several checks,
a pattern emerges and your doctor can track your child’s growth.
BMI
can be a helpful measurement if your child’s at risk of becoming overweight as
he gets older. In older children, there’s a strong link between BMI and body
fat. A child with higher BMI readings will probably have weight problems when
he’s older. If your child has high BMI readings, take steps to change his diet
and exercise habits. BMI isn’t a perfect measurement. Children gain weight
quickly – for example, during puberty – and a high BMI may be due to a high
muscle mass. Monitor BMI as a trend rather than individual numbers.
