Just last evening, I saw Rohan(fictitious), a seven and half year old child. He weighed 33.9 kg and was 119 cm tall and his [simple_tooltip style=’text-decoration: underline;’ content=’Body Mass Index’]BMI[/simple_tooltip] was 23.9 and at the 99th centile for his height and weight.

When I informed the parents that their child was ‘obese’, the father had a worried look on his face, but the mother looked at me most amusedly! In good humor, she told me “Doctor, where is fat! He is just healthy?! Look at the other kids, they are far fatter than him!!!“  To which, my response was that what the other kids were, does not concern either her or me, since they are not my patients.

What is “Body Mass Index”?

Previously, there was a lot of emphasis given on age-appropriate weight and height. Fallacies with age alone were soon noticed, the most obvious being that children of the same age and different heights, were being labeled as either normal,

overweight, or obese. After studying large populations, norms were established for appropriate weight for height in the form of [simple_tooltip content=’Body Mass Index’]BMI[/simple_tooltip].

How do you interpret  [simple_tooltip content=’Body Mass Index’]BMI[/simple_tooltip]?

The [simple_tooltip content=’Body Mass Index’]BMI[/simple_tooltip] is calculated on the basis of a mathematical formula. The number is then plotted on a graph depending on the age of the child.
More important than any particular value assigned to the [simple_tooltip content=’Body Mass Index’]BMI[/simple_tooltip], it is the trend that the [simple_tooltip content=’Body Mass Index’]BMI[/simple_tooltip] displays that is important. If there is a steady increase or decrease in the percentile  in which the child’s [simple_tooltip content=’Body Mass Index’]BMI[/simple_tooltip] falls, then it raises a red flag, prompting early intervention.

BMI Values:

Just 20 -25 years back in India, we were worried about children being underweight. But how our county has advanced!!!! 🙂 🙂 We are now seeing an explosion of overweight and obese children.

How do I find out my child’s [simple_tooltip content=’Body Mass Index’]BMI[/simple_tooltip]?

The best way would be to have your pediatrician chart this out for you on your regular checkup. You are visiting your pediatrician on a semi-annual basis (when your child is hale and hearty) aren’t you?

What should I do if my child’s [simple_tooltip content=’Body Mass Index’]BMI[/simple_tooltip] is high?

The two mainstays in treatment are diet and exercise. Talk to your doctor about this and use common sense. Make sure your child eats less carbohydrates, plenty of proteins and sensible amounts and types of fat. For children, what better exercise, than to play active games (badminton, football etc). Just walking with your children is one of the most healthy forms of exercises.

Going back to Rohan, who is at the 99th percentile and obese, all is not lost! He is only in the second grade. He needs to see a dietitian, talk to his pediatrician and start an appropriate exercise regimen. Otherwise, he will be at high risk for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and joint pains in the future!!