Body Mass Index in Adults, Kids, and Teens

There's more to your weight than just the number on the scale. Your BMI (body mass index) reveals much about your health by taking into account your height and weight. And, for kids and teens, the BMI number can predict if a child or teen is at risk for being overweight or for type 2 diabetes.

Adults can calculate their own BMI or can access one of the many charts on-line. You'll need to know your height - in inches - and your weight - in pounds. The formula is: weight (pounds) / [height in inches] 2 X 703. For example, if your weight is 200 pounds and your height is 68 inches (5' 8"), your BMI would be calculated as: 200 / (68)2 x 703 = 30.4. The healthy BMI range is 20-25. Having a BMI of 26-30 puts you in the overweight category, and a BMI greater than 30 labels you as obese.

For kids and teens, new growth curves were established by the CDC a few years ago. The easiest way to determine a child's BMI is to go to the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/growthcharts. You can calculate the child/teen's BMI and then plot it against their age (in months and years), to see where they land on the curve. If their BMI for age is less than the 5th percentile, they are considered underweight. A healthy weight is at a BMI between the 5th and 85th percentile. Kids and teens are considered at risk of overweight is their BMI for age falls between the 85th and 95th percentile, and overweight kids/teens have a BMI greater than the 95th percentile. This group is also at risk for type 2 diabetes, and follow-up screening should be done.

For more information, please call our office at 233-0593. We're also hosting a FREE Type 2 Diabetes screening for kids and teens on Tuesday, January 16, from 2-4 pm. We'll check heights, weights, BMIs, blood pressures, and skin (for acanthosis nigricans). Call us to reserve your spot.