BMI Formula for Child: How to Track Your Child’s Body Mass Index

The best and simple way to monitor the development and growth of your child is by tracking your child’s BMI (Body Mass Index). BMI is calculated by dividing the child’s weight with the height. By knowing the BMI of your child, you can identify if your child is healthy weight, overweight, underweight or obese. You can easily calculate the BMI with the help of the BMI formula for child. In this blog we will tell you everything you need to know about your child’s BMI: how you can track it, maintain it and the importance of it.

What is BMI for Children?

BMI also known as Body Mass Index is a tool that helps one assess if a person has a healthy body weight according to their height. BMI helps in detecting if the person is underweight, overweight, normal weight or obese. With growing children, it's very important to keep a tap on their BMI and see if it matches the standards of the BMI of their same age group. For kids and teens, the BMI is often referred to as BMI for age. You can learn more about how BMI is calculated to better understand its significance.

The Need to Track Your Child's BMI

If you monitor your child’s BMI closely, you can actually detect health problems early. Children with high BMI can have issues like joint problems, sleep apnea, type2 diabetes, high blood pressure issues later in life. Similarity , having lower BMI indicates nutritional deficiencies and development delays.

Reasons why you should track your child’s BMI:

• Regular tracking might help you detect early indicators of being underweight or overweight.
• Obesity in childhood frequently leads to obesity in adulthood, therefore early management is critical.
• Understanding BMI encourages parents and children to have a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular physical activity.
• It ensures that your child grows proportionally and maintains a healthy weight as they get older.

Calculating BMI with the BMI Formula

• Measure your child's weight: Use a weighing scale to weigh your child. To obtain an accurate reading, ensure that your child is barefoot and wearing minimum clothing. Record the weight in kilogrammes.
• Measure your child's height: To measure your child's height, have them stand barefoot against a wall. Make sure their heels, back, and head are all on the wall, and their chin is level. Measure their height with a measuring tape and note it in metres
• Use the Child BMI formula: Plug in the weight and height measurements into the BMI formula.

BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)

Interpreting BMI results

Unlike adults, interpreting BMI for children and teens is more difficult because it takes into account age and gender. After calculating BMI, place the result on a BMI-for-age growth chart to determine percentile ranking. These charts are produced by health organisations such as the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Here is the categorization of percentiles:

• Underweight: BMI less than the 5th percentile.
• Healthy weight: BMI between the 5th and 85th percentiles.
• Overweight: BMI between the 85th and 95th percentiles.
• Obese: BMI exceeds the 95th percentile.

For example, if a child's BMI is in the 90th percentile, it means that 90% of other children of the same age and gender have a lower BMI, implying that the child is overweight.

How to Maintain a Healthy BMI in your child?

While tracking BMI is vital, maintaining a healthy BMI requires a balanced lifestyle. Here are some important tips to help your child maintain a healthy BMI:

• Intaking a Balanced Diet

  The diet should focus on providing vital nutrients, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Try Limiting processed foods that are high in sugar, bad fats, and empty calories. Encourage water as the primary beverage and avoid sugary drinks such as sodas and fruit juices.

• Monitor Portion Sizes

  To prevent children from overeating, teach them proper portion amounts. Use smaller plates and encourage leisurely eating to allow the brain to detect when they are full.

• Encourage family meals

  Eating together as a family can lead to healthier eating habits. When children observe their parents eating healthily, they are more likely to do the same.

• Regular Physical Activity

  Children should engage in at least minimum 60 minutes of physical activity each day. The physical activities can be any be it cycling, dancing, swimming, running, karate or playing any of their favourite sports. Limit them from playing video games and watching TV.

• Proper Sleep

  Ensure your child receives enough sleep, as sleep deprivation can lead to weight gain and a lower BMI.

• Positive Body Image

  When discussing BMI with kids, keep the focus on health rather than beauty. Promoting a healthy body image and avoiding negative weight-related words is critical for their self-esteem.

Factors That Can Affect Your Child’s BMI

There are many factors that can influence your child's BMI, not all are a matter of concern. While BMI can be a useful indicator of future health problems, But other factors should also be considered:

• Age: As children grow, their BMI fluctuates. It is normal for BMI to change, particularly during growth years. As a result, BMI should be checked on a regular basis and compared to percentiles appropriate for the age and sex.
• Gender: Boys and girls develop differently. For example, when they approach adolescence, girls may have more body fat, whereas boys typically have higher muscle mass. This distinction is represented in the BMI-for-age percentiles.
• Genetics: Family history influences a child's weight and body composition. If obesity or being overweight runs in the family, children may be more likely to develop the illness.
• Body Composition: BMI makes no distinction between muscle and fat. A child who is extremely muscular may have a higher BMI without being obese. Similarly, a youngster with a larger percentage of body fat may be within the "normal" BMI range.

Obesity In Kids & Health Risks

Obesity is a chronic illness that can put children at risk for health concerns both now and in the future. Obesity has been identified as a risk factor for severe disease associated with COVID-19 infection, according to scientists. It can increase the chance of developing other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic joint pain, and sleep apnoea. It also raises the risk of emotional distress, such as bullying and low self-esteem. We also know that obese children are more prone to develop obesity in adulthood. It is never too late to make healthy and beneficial changes for your family!

Every family should strive to incorporate a balanced and nutritious diet, as well as daily activity, into their children's routines. Some obese children will require more than this. Your paediatrician can provide guidance and connect you with resources to help you achieve your objectives. If your child's BMI falls between the 5th and 85th percentiles, consult with your paediatrician about the best treatment options based on their specific needs.

Tracking your child BMI is an effective way to understand their development and overall health. Calculating and interpreting the BMI formula for child on a regular basis allows you to discover potential weight concerns early on and take steps to solve them. Maintaining a healthy BMI requires children to eat a balanced diet, be physically active, and have a positive body image. Also, keep in mind the importance of BMI in life insurance when considering long-term health and financial planning.

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