When it comes to childhood growth and development, it's difficult to speak in terms of average or normal, since kids, particularly adolescents, mature at such varying rates. Pediatricians long used height and weight measurement charts to get a general idea of whether a child's weight is normal in relationship to his height. Today, the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation is used to gauge the amount of body fat a child is carrying. The BMI takes into account a child's height, weight, sex and age.
Considerations
The BMI formula uses percentile lines to determine whether a child's weight is in the normal range. BMI charts are different for boys and girls, because body fat percentages differ significantly between the sexes up until age 20. These charts allow you to compare your child's height and weight with other kids of the same age and gender.
BMI Measurement
An accurate BMI requires correct height and weight measurements. Since bathroom scales and tape measures may not provide exact readings, your child's doctor or his school nurse should take the measurements. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has set up cut off points to define underweight, normal, overweight and obesity in children.
Percentiles
A BMI between the 85th and 94th percentile is considered to be overweight. A BMI in the 95th percentile and above is regarded as obese. A child whose BMI is equal to or greater than the fifth percentile and less than the 85th percentile is looked upon as a normal, healthy weight. For example, a 16-year-old boy who weighs 145 pounds and is 5-feet-7 has a body mass index of 22.8. This places him in the 75th percentile, which is normal.
Variables
The Body Mass Index measurement does not make adjustments for individuals who are very muscular or have a body frame that is larger than average. Your child's doctor will take these variables into consideration when assessing whether her growth and development is within the normal range.
Outlook
If your doctor determines that your BMI is not normal, your child will most likely be given specific advice about diet and exercise. It's important for children to follow any dietary recommendations. Although they may be tempting, a child should stay way from fad diets or extreme calorie restrictions because they can potentially hinder proper growth and development.
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