Being underweight may weaken your immune system and put you at greater risk of osteoporosis. Talk to your doctor to determine what - if anything - you can do to achieve a healthy weight, or to address unexpected weight loss. To support good health:
Embrace healthy eating as a lifestyle by choosing a variety of nutrient-rich foods including fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Eat between-meal healthy snacks - whole-grain crackers and nuts, for example - to increase the calories in your diet.
Exercise. Your doctor may recommend strength training to promote lean muscle development and increase your weight in a healthy way.
Next Steps
Congratulations! Your healthy weight is well worth the effort. It reduces your risk of serious health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. To maintain a healthy weight:
Embrace healthy eating as a lifestyle by choosing a variety of nutrient-rich foods including fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Exercise. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes of moderately intense activity daily.
Set action goals focused on specific healthy activities such as improving muscle tone through strength training, or starting a daily food and activity diary.
Next Steps
Consider the benefits of achieving a healthy weight - a reduced risk of serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes, increased energy and improved self-esteem, for example. Then talk to your doctor about the best weight-loss approach for you. To get started:
Embrace healthy eating as a lifestyle by choosing a variety of nutrient-rich foods including fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Exercise. Before exercising ask your doctor about the right level and type of activities for you. Remember, even small amounts of activity provide immediate health benefits.
Set action goals focused on specific healthy activities such as starting a daily food and activity diary.
Next Steps
Consider the benefits of achieving a healthy weight - a reduced risk of serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes, increased energy and improved self-esteem, for example. Then talk to your doctor about the best weight-loss approach for you. To get started:
Embrace healthy eating as a lifestyle by choosing a variety of nutrient-rich foods including fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Exercise. Before exercising ask your doctor about the right level and type of activities for you. Remember, even small amounts of activity provide immediate health benefits.
Set action goals focused on specific healthy activities such as starting a daily food and activity diary.
This BMI means your child is underweight. An ideal BMI for your child's gender and age is between and .
Your child may be naturally thin. Or, it's possible a medical problem could be causing your child to be underweight. Talk to your child's healthcare provider.
UNDERWEIGHT
IDEAL
AT RISK
OVERWEIGHT
This BMI means your child is at an ideal weight. An ideal BMI for your child's gender and age is between and .
Having an ideal weight means the calories your child is getting from food are balanced out with his/her level of physical activity. Keep in mind, though, that some calories are nutritious and others aren't. Your child may eat the right amount of food for a healthy weight, but still not get all the nutrients needed for good overall health. That's why it's still important to encourage your child to eat nutritious foods and get plenty of exercise. Good habits learned now will last a lifetime.
UNDERWEIGHT
IDEAL
AT RISK
OVERWEIGHT
This BMI means your child is at risk of being overweight. An ideal BMI for your child's gender and age is between and .
Overweight is a point at which your child's weight is no longer healthy. Although your child isn't yet overweight, work with your healthcare provider and your child to prevent this from becoming a future problem. An overweight child may develop problems with self-esteem. And doctors are finding that overweight children are developing health problems such as diabetes early in life that do not develop in children of normal weight.
Overweight children tend to become overweight adults. Being overweight as an adult increases the risk of serious diseases such as stroke, heart attack, diabetes, and arthritis. So now is the time to teach your child healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
UNDERWEIGHT
IDEAL
AT RISK
OVERWEIGHT
This BMI means your child is overweight. An ideal BMI for your child's gender and age is between and .
Overweight is a point at which your child's weight is no longer healthy. Although your child isn't yet overweight, work with your healthcare provider and your child to prevent this from becoming a future problem. An overweight child may develop problems with self-esteem. And doctors are finding that overweight children are developing health problems such as diabetes early in life that do not develop in children of normal weight.
Overweight children tend to become overweight adults. Being overweight as an adult increases the risk of serious diseases such as stroke, heart attack, diabetes, and arthritis. So now is the time to teach your child healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
What is BMI?
BMI (body mass index) is a formula that uses both weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. Excess body fat is related to serious health conditions. A child's body fat changes with age. Also, girls and boys differ in their amount of body fat as they mature. This is why BMI for children, also known as BMI-for-age, includes gender and age. Its biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
Inadequately evaluate health risks of people with excess abdominal fat
The child BMI calculator gives an approximate BMI for children from age 2 to 18. It will tell you if a child is underweight, at an ideal weight, at risk of being overweight, or is now overweight.
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional healthcare. Always consult with a healthcare provider for advice concerning your health. Only your healthcare provider can advise you about you or your child's health.
