My son is 6 years old, and I just got his BMI report card from school. It says
he is overweight. What does that mean? What do I do now?
– Amy
BMI, or body mass
index, is a calculation that uses height and weight to estimate how much body
fat a person has. Childhood obesity is on the rise and in response many schools are
adding BMI to the annual health screening of their students.
Though some parents are uncomfortable with the idea of a BMI report card, a child
who is overweight
is at increased risk of developing health problems, such as high blood pressure and
diabetes. Parents are encouraged to share this information with their child's doctor,
who can help interpret the results and make recommendations.
Here are some tips to help kids maintain a healthy weight:
- Encourage kids to be active
every day. Experts recommend that kids get 60 minutes or more of physical activity
daily.
- Offer fruits and vegetables at meals and snacks and encourage your child to eat
five or more servings a day.
- Serve appropriate portion
sizes.
- Limit sugar-sweetened beverages and offer low-fat milk or
water instead.
- Limit screen time
(time spent watching TV, playing video games, using a smartphone, computer, or
other device) to less than 2 hours a day.
- Set a good example by eating healthy, being physically active, and limiting the
time you spend in front of a screen.
Date reviewed: September 2015