Have you ever heard the word BMI? Maybe a doctor has used this word when talking about your child's weight, or whether they are at a healthy weight for their height. Many parents get a little worried when they hear this, thinking, "Oh, my child's BMI is this high, is that good? Is that bad?" This is actually not something to worry about, but it is very important to understand it properly. So today we will talk about what BMI (Body Mass Index) is, what it means, and how we should think about it, very simply, in a language that you can understand?
What is BMI (Body Mass Index) in simple terms?
Okay, first let's look at what BMI is. Simply put, BMI is a rough measure used to see if a person's weight is appropriate for their height. It is calculated using both your child's height and weight. It doesn't directly measure body fat, but it helps to get a rough idea (estimate) of what level of body fat your child has.
Think of it this way, we measure the space of a house by measuring its length and width. Similarly, to get an idea of a child's physical health, we use height and weight to find this BMI value. But you can't tell how many rooms there are in a house or how thick the walls are just by measuring its length and width. That's how BMI is. It gives us some guidance, but it doesn't tell us everything.
How do you check a child's BMI (Body Mass Index)? Why is it important?
Usually, after your child turns two years old , the doctor will check this BMI value during every routine checkup. This is not something you can just check once and forget about. Did you know? Children's BMI values change with age. That's why doctors have special charts (standard gender-specific growth charts) - separate charts for girls, separate charts for boys. What the doctor does is measure the child's BMI value every time and mark it on the relevant chart.
"By recording BMI values in this way several times in a row, the doctor can clearly understand how your child's growth pattern is happening."
It is very important to monitor the child's growth pattern in this way. Because, there are some children whose weight increases very slowly. Some children gain weight suddenly. By continuously monitoring the BMI value, the doctor can get a good idea of whether the child's weight is increasing too quickly or too slowly . Accordingly, he can decide what measures to take, if necessary.
What are these BMI values and percentiles?
Now, after looking at your child's BMI, the doctor might say, "Your child's BMI is in the 60th percentile." And then we wonder, "What does this percentile mean?"
Simply put, a percentile is a measurement that shows where your child's BMI is compared to other children of the same age and gender.
For example, let's say your child's BMI is in the 60th percentile. This means that if you randomly select 100 other children of your child's age and gender (girls, girls, boys, boys), your child's BMI is higher than 60 of those 100 children. The other 40 children have a BMI higher than your child's BMI. This means that, compared to other children of his age, he is in the middle, slightly above average.
This percentile value is what doctors use to classify a child as underweight, at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese.
Is BMI (Body Mass Index) always 100% accurate?
Here's something we all need to understand. BMI is a rough guide, not a 100% accurate measurement. There are several reasons for that.
Body fat is not measured directly.
As I said before, BMI does not directly measure body fat. Think about it, there are some children who play sports well, run and jump. They may have well-developed muscles. Muscle is a heavy thing. Then, the BMI of such a child may be shown a little higher. It is not because he is fat, but because he has more muscle in his body.
Also, there are some children whose skeletal system (frame) is a little larger. They may also be a little heavier than other children, and it is not because they have more fat.
On the other hand, there are some children who are small and appear thin. Even if their BMI is in the normal range, their body fat may be a little high. So, it is not good to immediately conclude, "Oh, my child is fat" or "skinny" based on the BMI alone.
Changes during puberty
Another very important thing is the period when children reach puberty . You know, during that time, children's bodies suddenly undergo big changes. They grow taller and weigh more. Girls' bodies change shape, boys' muscles develop. During this time, many children suddenly gain a little weight. Then, their BMI can also go up.
"This is often normal, a natural part of a child's development. However, only the doctor who examines your child can say for sure whether that weight gain is normal or if it's something we need to pay special attention to."
Therefore, especially as your child enters puberty, don't worry about BMI alone. Talk to your doctor to make sure it's normal growth.
How to classify weight according to BMI (Body Mass Index) value?
Okay, now let's see how a child's weight is generally classified based on this BMI value and its corresponding percentile values. This classification is done by considering all the factors of the child's age, gender, and height.
- Underweight: This means that the child's BMI is below the 5th percentile for their age, gender, and height. Simply put, if you take 100 children of their age and gender, their BMI is lower than 95 of them. At times like these, it is important to talk to your doctor and get nutritional advice on how to gain weight.
- Healthy weight: This is the level we all aspire to. If a child's BMI is equal to or greater than the 5th percentile and less than the 85th percentile , it is considered a healthy weight.
- Overweight: If a child's BMI is at or above the 85th percentile, but below the 95th percentile , it falls into the "overweight" category. This is a bit of a concern. It's a good idea to talk to your doctor and get advice on what changes you need to make in your diet and lifestyle.
- Obese: If a child's BMI is at or above the 95th percentile , they are considered obese. This is a condition that should be discussed with a doctor and treated as needed. Obesity can increase the risk of developing non-communicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus and heart disease in the future.
Why is it not a good idea to make decisions based on just one BMI value?
This is also a very important point. When considering your child's BMI, don't make big decisions or worry unnecessarily based on a single measurement.
Imagine that your child was weighed one day and their BMI was a little high. Don't just think, "Oh, my child is fat, what do I do now?" It could be that the child ate a little more during those days, or there could be a slight difference in the way the measurement was taken.
Even a doctor looks at how these BMI values change over time, and what the trend is. That is, is the child's BMI continuing to increase, decrease, or stay the same? If we take just one value out of context, we can get the wrong idea about the child's development.
"Therefore, when discussing BMI with your doctor, try to compare it with previous values and gain an understanding of your child's overall growth pattern."
When do you need to talk to a doctor?
So, as we've discussed, BMI is a useful indicator that gives us some idea of a child's healthy growth and development. But, let me remind you again, this is not the most accurate way to measure the amount of fat in the body.
If you think your child:
- The weight suddenly increases, it's too much,
- Or maybe you're losing too much weight,
- If you have any concerns or problems about your BMI,
- If you have questions about your child's eating habits or activity levels,
The best thing to do is to talk to your family doctor or pediatrician about this right away. The doctor can examine your child, take into account everything else, not just the BMI, and give you specific, accurate advice for your child. Maybe they'll tell you to make a small change in your child's diet, or encourage him to run around and play a little more. No matter what, it's important to follow your doctor's advice.
So, what are the most important things we should take home from this story?
Okay, we've talked a lot about BMI (Body Mass Index). Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind:
1. BMI is a basic screening tool: It can give a rough idea of whether a child's weight is appropriate for their height. However, it is not a diagnostic tool that can accurately determine whether a child has a disease.
2. Using height and weight: BMI is calculated using both the child's height and weight.
3. Percentile is important: This refers to where a child's BMI is compared to other children of their age.
4. Look at the trend: Don't make decisions based on just one BMI value. What's important is the trend of BMI over time.
5. There are limitations: In cases such as children with more muscle mass, children with a larger skeletal system, and children entering puberty, BMI may not be 100% accurate in terms of body fat.
6. Don't panic, talk to a doctor: If you have any questions or doubts about your child's BMI or weight, the best thing to do is to consult a doctor.
I hope this article has answered many of your questions about BMI (Body Mass Index). Remember, the health of our children is the most important thing to us. Therefore, it is our responsibility to take care of their development and seek medical advice when necessary.
BMI, body mass index, child weight, percentile, obesity, healthy weight, child growth
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න