As a physician, I encourage parents to know their teen’s BMI, or body mass index. Although BMI is by no means a perfect measure of one’s health, it’s generally considered a reliable way to determine how much body fat a person has based on their age, sex, height and weight.
In addition to being used as a way to highlight possible risks for a number of serious medical conditions, BMI can also be a predictor of whether or not a child will become an overweight or obese adult. Once parents determine their adolescent’s BMI, they and their child can establish an open dialogue with the pediatrician or family physician to establish healthy weight goals and recommendations.
One of the important things to keep in mind when considering BMI is that it’s interpreted somewhat differently for children and teens than it is for adults. One reason for this is that unlike the adult population, children and teens are still growing. Therefore, the calculation of excess body weight is often reported as a “BMI percentile,” rather than simply BMI. Children with a BMI percentile between the 85th and 95th percentiles are considered overweight, while those with a BMI at or above the 95th percentile are considered obese. Children with a BMI at the 99th percentile or higher are considered severely obese.
Because teens can grow quickly, especially during puberty — when it’s very common for them to gain weight — your teen’s physician can best interpret whether a BMI score should concern you.
A recent study published online in the Journal of Adolescent Health looked at the practice of schools in Arkansas sending home “BMI letters” regarding this information to parents. The study found the letters had little effect on teenagers — their BMIs stayed the same even when these reports were sent to their homes. These results raise questions about the effectiveness of this type of direct reporting. They also highlight the challenges health systems and schools face when attempting to address adolescent obesity. It’s a tough problem to solve when childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years.
If a teen’s doctor tells him or her that they have a risk for obesity and future medical problems, they can and should feel comfortable asking their physician what their options are to help them maintain a healthier weight. Doctors may suggest a change in lifestyle, like eating healthier or exercising regularly. In some cases, they may be a candidate for bariatric surgery.
Teens can take simple steps toward maintaining a healthier lifestyle by doing the following:
— Incorporate an hour or two of exercise into your day — something as simple as taking a walk around the block is proven to be beneficial to one’s health.
— Limit screen time to no more than two hours a day so you don’t make a habit of a sedentary lifestyle.
— Choose water over sugary drinks.
— Eat balanced meals: Consume lean protein sources, fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products and whole grains to maintain a healthy weight. It’s best to incorporate at least three to four food groups at mealtime.
— Learn how to read food labels and interpret what they mean for your diet.
Bottom line: Teens should know their BMI and the BMI of their family members in order to help them understand their health risks for serious medical conditions, and to discuss their health with their doctor. The most important thing, however, is what they do with that information to live a healthy life.
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Why Teens Should Know Their BMI originally appeared on usnews.com
