A lack of sufficient body fat may lead to: Just as a high BMI can cause health problems, so can a very low BMI. A dietitian can teach you which foods to eat and how much food you should eat in order to lose weight. You may also benefit from nutritional counseling. You should also follow certain diet habits, such as eating only when you’re hungry, eating mindfully, and choosing a diet that’s rich in whole, unprocessed foods. You can lower body fat and get to a healthier weight by exercising at least three times per week. certain cancers, including breast, colon, and kidney cancersĪ new study, however, indicates that body fat, not BMI, is more associated with the above health risks.A high BMI is related to a greater risk of developing serious health conditions, such as: If you have a high BMI, it’s important to lower it so you’re at a healthy weight status. However, your ideal weight is primarily determined by genetics, as well as by the types of foods you eat and how much you exercise. If you take in more calories than you burn, you will gain weight over time.Įnergy imbalance is certainly one of the biggest contributors to weight gain. Your weight will usually stay the generally the same when you consume the same number of calories as your body uses or “burns” each day. This energy is obtained in the form of calories. The body needs a certain amount of energy from food in order to function. People gain weight as a result of an energy imbalance. About 17 percent of children and teenagers (ages 2 to 19) are considered obese. The following table shows the percentile range for each weight status: PercentileĪccording to the National Institutes of Health, more than two in three adults are considered overweight and one in three are considered obese. This means that they have more body fat than 95 percent of children in the same age and gender category. For example, a child would be considered obese if they had a BMI that landed at or above the 95th percentile.

Each percentile expresses a child’s BMI relative to other children of the same age and gender. Girls usually acquire a higher amount of body fat and develop it earlier than boys.įor children and teens, the CDC uses age growth charts to show BMI as a percentile ranking. It’s also different in young boys and girls. While the same formula is used to determine BMI for all age groups, the implications for children and adolescents can vary depending on age and gender. BMI is interpreted differently for people under age 20.

Bmi children calculator cdc