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 a serious problem, so many schools have added
BMI to the annual health screening of their students.
Some parents are uncomfortable with the idea of a BMI report card. But an overweight
child has a greater chance of developing health problems, such as high
blood pressure and diabetes.
Parents should share the BMI information with their child's doctor, who can help interpret
the results and offer advice.
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 the right portion
sizes for your child's age.
- 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: January 2020