According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), childhood obesity has tripled in the past 30 years. The CDC reports that obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease like high cholesterol and high blood pressure. They are also more likely to have bone or joint problems, sleep apnea and social and psychological problems due to their weight. Further, obese youth are more likely to be overweight or obese adults, which places them at higher risk for diabetes, heart disease, cancer, osteoarthritis and stroke.
Step 1
Measure the child's height and weight. The CDC uses an adjusted Body Mass Index (BMI) scale using height and weight to calculate child BMI. It is important that accurate measurements are taken as this can have an affect on the outcome of the equation.
Step 2
Use the child and adolescent calculator. The standard BMI calculator is for adults over age 18, and the results for children are based on a percentile rather than a straight number system. An example of the difference in the two measurements can be seen by the following example: a 10 yr old boy with a BMI of 23 is considered obese because it is above the 95th percentile. However if using the adult BMI scale, 23 would be right in the middle of the healthy weight category.
Step 3
Calculate BMI using a child and adolescent BMI calculator or the formula weight (lbs) / [height (in)]^2 x 703. When using English measurements, fractions must be converted to fractions and changed to decimals.
Step 4
Find the child's weight status category for the calculated BMI for age percentile. Underweight is less than the 5th percentile. Healthy weight is from 5th to 85th percentile. Overweight is 85th through 95th percentile. A BMI equal or greater than 95th percentile represents obesity.
Tips and Warnings
- The metric version of the equation is weight (kg) / [height (m)]^2. To convert weight in pounds to weight in kilograms, divide weight in pounds by 2.2. To convert height in inches to height in meters, multiply height in inches by 2.54. Then divide by 100.
Things You'll Need
- Scale
- Calculator
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