Using the body mass index (BMI) is the standard way to determine what a person should weigh based on their height and weight. Calculating the BMI of a child is a little more difficult, as there are many factors to consider as your child grows. Knowing the ideal body weight for your child can help you to avoid childhood obesity which puts the child at risk for type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Step 1
Measure your child's height and make note of his or her weight. The most accurate way is to have your child measured at school or at their doctor's office. You can use a bathroom scale and measuring tape if you choose to do it at home.
Step 2
Fill in your child's age or birthday, height, weight and gender on a BMI chart. See Resources for a free BMI chart. All of these inputs are important in getting results.
Step 3
Determine what percentile your child falls under. Most online BMI charts will provide you with this number. Less than the fifth percentile is underweight, fifth percentile to less than 85th percentile is healthy weight, 85th percentile to 95th percentile is overweight and equal or greater than 95th percentile is obese.
Tips and Warnings
- Your child's doctor can also tell you what your child's BMI is and what their ideal weight should be.
Things You'll Need
- Scale
- Measuring tape
- BMI chart
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