Just as a high BMI can cause health problems, so can a very low BMI. A dietitian can teach you which foods to eat and how much food you should eat in order to lose weight. You may also benefit from nutritional counseling. You should also follow certain diet habits, such as eating only when you’re hungry, eating mindfully, and choosing a diet that’s rich in whole, unprocessed foods. You can lower body fat and get to a healthier weight by exercising at least three times per week.
If you take in more calories than you burn, you will gain weight over time.Įnergy imbalance is certainly one of the biggest contributors to weight gain. Your weight will usually stay the generally the same when you consume the same number of calories as your body uses or “burns” each day. This energy is obtained in the form of calories. The body needs a certain amount of energy from food in order to function. People gain weight as a result of an energy imbalance. About 17 percent of children and teenagers (ages 2 to 19) are considered obese. The following table shows the percentile range for each weight status: PercentileĪccording to the National Institutes of Health, more than two in three adults are considered overweight and one in three are considered obese. This means that they have more body fat than 95 percent of children in the same age and gender category. For example, a child would be considered obese if they had a BMI that landed at or above the 95th percentile. Each percentile expresses a child’s BMI relative to other children of the same age and gender. Girls usually acquire a higher amount of body fat and develop it earlier than boys.įor children and teens, the CDC uses age growth charts to show BMI as a percentile ranking. It’s also different in young boys and girls. While the same formula is used to determine BMI for all age groups, the implications for children and adolescents can vary depending on age and gender. The BMI Table is a static tool to help you estimate your patients' body fat.BMI is interpreted differently for people under age 20. The BMI calculator uses Standard or Metric measures and is available in English or Spanish. The BMI Calculator is an easy-to-use online tool to help you estimate your adult patients' body fat. For more information about BMI percentile and growth charts for children, visit the CDC's Child and Teen BMI and NHLBI's We Can! web pages. A child or teen who is between the 85th and 95th percentile on the growth chart is considered overweight. A child or teen who is at the 95th percentile or above is considered obese. The growth charts use a child's BMI, age, and gender to produce a BMI percentile. It may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle.īMI for children and teens, 2 to 20 years old, is determined by using a BMI table that compares their weight and height along with growth charts.
It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build.The higher the BMI, the higher the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and certain cancers (e.g., colon, breast, endometrial, and gallbladder).Īlthough BMI can be used for most men and women, it does have some limits: People who are obese (BMI of 30 or above) almost always have a large amount of body fat in relation to their height. People who are overweight (BMI of 25–29.9) have too much body weight for their height. This ratio of weight to height is known as the body mass index (BMI). For adults, a healthy weight is defined as the appropriate body weight in relation to height. BMI is an estimate of body fat and a good measure of your patients' risk for diseases that can occur with overweight and obesity.