Dont consider a child fat or fit just by looking at BMI, know the right way for healthy growth.

Childhood Obesity And BMI : When it comes to obesity in children, parents often assume that BMI tells them how healthy their child is. Although BMI-for-age is a tool that can help identify whether a child needs further testing, it should not be considered a sure sign of disease or a sole measure of a child’s health.

Not just BMI, distribution of fat in the body is also important

A major drawback of BMI is that it does not tell where fat is getting accumulated in the body. Two children may have the same BMI, but the amount of fat and muscle in their bodies may be quite different. Accumulation of excess fat around the abdomen can increase the risk of diabetes, blood pressure and other metabolic problems in the future. Therefore, while examining the child, the doctor also looks at things like waist circumference or waist and height ratio along with BMI.

It is important to understand the changing growth during puberty

At what time and how the child is growing also matters a lot. During puberty, many changes occur in children’s height, muscles, bones and body fat. In such a situation, a short-term change in BMI can also be a part of normal development. It is important to understand whether the child is growing properly or not and whether his weight is increasing excessively compared to his height.

Apart from BMI, pay attention to these things also for the health of the child.

The overall health of a child is not assessed just by looking at weight and BMI. Doctors also look at what the child eats, how active he is, how he sleeps, and how much time he spends sitting or watching screens. A family history of diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease can also affect a child’s risk. Depending on the age and condition of the child, the doctor may also advise to check blood pressure or get some blood tests done.

For parents, the point is simple: Don’t let one number measure your child’s overall health. Also pay attention to the child’s growth, energy level, physical activity, sleep, eating habits and emotional health.

The child’s health and well-being is more important than his weight.

The most important thing is to be sensitive while talking to your child about his weight. It is more beneficial for children to have a family environment where they are encouraged to have a good diet, be active daily, get good sleep and have confidence in themselves, rather than scolding or pressuring them to lose weight. A child’s healthy development is not just about his BMI, but about his overall health and well-being.

When it comes to child’s weight, parents often hear about BMI. But it is very important to understand that BMI is only an initial screening method. This does not reveal the complete health of the child. It is important to look at the child’s growth in the context of his age, gender, height, development and changes in his weight and other figures over time.

Children are continuously growing compared to adults. Their height, weight, muscle mass and body fat amount keep changing continuously during childhood and especially during puberty. Therefore, just by looking at a BMI number, it cannot be known whether the child is growing properly or not. For example, a child who is very active and has more muscle may have a higher BMI, even if he or she does not have excess body fat. At the same time, even if a child’s BMI is normal, he may have excess fat around his stomach or there may be some other health risks, which need attention.

Along with the child’s growth, doctors also pay attention to these health parameters.

As pediatricians, we don’t make decisions just by looking at a number. We see the complete growth of the child over time. Growth chart helps us to understand whether the child is growing properly as per his age or not. If a child is crossing different percentiles on the growth chart too quickly or is gaining weight faster than his or her height, this may be a cause for concern. The speed of a child’s growth, change in weight compared to height, and his stage of development, all these things provide more important information than just a BMI number.

We also look at waist size, blood pressure, what the child eats, how active he is, how he sleeps and the history of diabetes, high blood pressure or other diseases in the family. If necessary, tests like blood sugar and cholesterol can also be done.

From eating to sleeping, daily habits are also important

What is equally important is how the child is feeling emotionally. One should not talk to the child about weight in such a way that he/she feels bad about his/her body or becomes upset or worried. Instead of paying attention to the child’s weight or the scale, parents can focus on his/her good daily habits. Promote habits like eating nutritious food, playing active games daily, getting enough sleep, reducing sugary drinks and avoiding excessive screen time. Besides, it is also important to create a positive mindset in the child’s mind regarding food and his body.

After all, our goal isn’t to reach a specific BMI number. Our aim is that every child grows and develops properly according to his needs and abilities. We want every child to be healthy, strong and happy—in their own way.

Input By : Dr. Swati Kanodia, Consultant – Pediatric Endocrinologist, Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital

Input By: Dr. Aditi Sachdeva, Consultant – Pediatrics & Neonatology, CK Birla Hospital®, Delhi

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