Is My Child at a Healthy Weight?

What is a healthy weight for a child?

Children come in different shapes and sizes. Some children are naturally small while others have bigger builds, larger bones or more muscle that can result in a heavier weight. A healthy weight is any weight that supports growth, learning and development while not leading to disease.

How do I know if my child is at an unhealthy weight?

If you think your child is at an unhealthy weight, ask your physician to measure your child’s height and weight. The physician can then compare it to a BMI growth chart.

What does a BMI growth chart tell me?

The  BMI growth chart helps you understand your child’s true growth pattern by allowing you to track your child’s BMI percentile over time. You will need several measurements over a period of 18 months to two years to determine a pattern.

How often should my physician check my child’s BMI percentile?

Parents should ensure that a health professional measures their child’s height and weight at least once per year in order to track the BMI percentile.

My child is at the 95th percentile. What does that mean?

This number means that your child may be overweight and should be assessed by your physician. If the child has always been at the 95th percentile, he/she may be naturally larger than other children and his/her weight may not be a health risk.
If you have noticed your child’s weight has gone up, you should speak with your physician.