Weight Management

People who are overweight or obese have many more health problems including heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It is important to try to keep a healthy weight and eat good foods. Your weight is determined, in part, by your genetics. If your parents and close family members are overweight, you do have a greater chance of being overweight yourself. Don't let this be a reason to give up! Not overeating and getting plenty of exercise may allow even those with a strong family history of being overweight to maintain a weight that is in a healthy range.

The number you see on the scale doesn't necessarily tell you whether you need to lose weight. That's because two people of the same height and weight can have different bone structures. They may carry different amounts of muscle and body fat. To find out if you are at a healthy weight, your health care provider usually calculates your body mass index (BMI). BMI uses your height and weight to estimate how much fat is on your body. Once you know your BMI, you can chart it on a BMI for Age growth chart to see if you are a healthy weight.

BMI Growth Chart for Boys

BMI Growth Chart for Girls

If your BMI for your age is in the Overweight or At Risk range (above the 85th percentile) on the growth chart, you are at risk for being overweight as an adult or you are already overweight. BMI is not the only tool for evaluating your risk for being overweight. Your health care provider needs to look at other factors too.

If you feel like your child is gaining too much weight and is in or getting close to the at risk ranges, it is a good time to start working on eating more healthfully and finding a physical activity that your child will enjoy and will do often.

Nutrition Basics

Simple Rules to Live By