Holistic Fitness & Lifestyle
By Ruth Henao. C.P.T
A child is defined as affected by obesity if their body mass index percentile is greater than 95 percent.
A child is defined as overweight if their BMI percentile is greater than 85 percent, and less than 95 percent.
As children grow, the amount of body fat changes with age.
BMI for children needs to be interpreted in relation to the child's age and gender differences.
Once the BMI value has been calculated, it is plotted on a BMI-for-age Percentile Chart (below).
Separate charts are used for boys and girls.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
BODY COMPOSITION - Children
Once you calculate his/her BMI, find the age of your child on the bottom of the chart and look to the left or right to locate their BMI.
Locate the corresponding shaded color to determine your child’s BMI-for-age percentile.