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IDEAL BODY WEIGHT
Between 1985 and
1995, amongst children aged 7-15, the prevalence of overweight children
almost doubled and the prevalence of obesity more than tripled.
Approximately 15.3 percent of children (ages 6-11) and 15.5 percent of
adolescents (ages 12-19) were overweight in 2000. An additional 15 percent
of children and 14.9 percent of adolescents were at risk for overweight (BMI
for age between the 85th and 95th percentile).
The increase in obesity among American youth over the past two decades is
dramatic, as illustrated in the tables below.
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Increase
in Obesity Among American Youth Over the Past Two Decades |
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Prevalence of Obese
Children
(Ages 6 to 11) at the 95th percentile of Body Mass Index (BMI) |
Prevalence of Obese
Adolescents
(Ages 12 to 19) at the95th percentile of Body Mass Index (BMI) |
1999 to 2000 =
15.3%
1988 to 1994 = 11%
1976 to 1980 = 7% |
1999 to 2000 =
15.5%
1988 to 1994 = 11%
1976 to 1980 = 5% |
Among people
diagnosed with type 2 (noninsulin-dependent) diabetes, 67 percent have a BMI
> 27 and 46 percent have a BMI > 30. About 17 million people in the U.S.
have type 2 diabetes, accounting for more than 90 percent of diabetes cases.
An additional 20 million have impaired glucose tolerance, sometimes called
pre-diabetes, which is a strong risk factor for developing diabetes later in
life. An estimated 70 percent of diabetes risk in the U.S. can be attributed
to excess weight.
NIH Diabetes Statistics Information
Children 2 to 20 years (5th-95th percentile)
Growth Chart for Boys 2-20 years of age (Color)
61KB
Growth Chart for Girls 2-20 years of Age (Color)
77KB
Body mass index can determine if a child is obese
A child or adolescent's body mass index (BMI) is determined by dividing
their weight (kilograms) by their height (m2). New suggested international
BMI cut-off points for obesity are:
24.00 and 24.11 for male and female children aged 10 years, respectively
28.30 and 29.11 for male and female adolescents aged 15 years, respectively.
30 for both males and females aged 18 years and over.
BMI for children and teens (2 - 20 years) is plotted on age and gender
specific growth charts. For more information link to BMI for Children and
Teens.
Obesity in childhood influences obesity in adulthood
Overweight or obese children are more likely to remain obese as adolescents
and the older and more obese a child is strongly influences their likelihood
of becoming an obese adult. Adolescence, in particular, appears to be a
sensitive period for the development of obesity-about 80 per cent of obese
adolescents will become obese adults.
Studies suggest that being obese as a child or adolescent increases the risk
of poor health outcomes in adulthood, regardless of whether the adult is
obese or not. Therefore, it is important to identify and start to reverse
the condition before children become adults.
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Health problems
associated with obesity
Potential health problems for obese children include:
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Diabetes
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Liver problems.
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Orthopedic disorders
(problems with foot structure).
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Respiratory disorders
such as upper airway obstruction and chest wall restriction
resulting in sleep apnea.
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Reflux, gallstones and
other stomach conditions.
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Eating disorders such as
Bulimia.
Excess weight around the
middle in obese children and adolescents can also increase
cardiovascular risks, abnormal glucose tolerance (leading to
diabetes), and hypertension(high blood pressure) and lipid profile
(cholesterol) abnormalities. |
Obese children
and adolescents have low self-esteem
The most immediate consequences of being overweight during childhood and
adolescence is psychosocial. Obese children have low self-esteem and body
dissatisfaction. They are also more likely to do less well academically,
have poor job prospects and be socially isolated. Research shows that obese
children feel that being overweight is a worse disability than losing a
limb.
The BMI formula uses height and weight measurements to come up with a number
that can be plotted on a chart. The chart then tells a person whether he or
she is underweight, average weight, at risk of becoming overweight, or
overweight. There are different charts for males and females under the age
of 20.
How to Measure
your BMI
During routine checkups, doctors typically record your height and weight.
Your doctor may check your BMI as well.
If you are calculating BMI on your own, it's important to get an accurate
weight and height measurement. To calculate your BMI, follow these steps:
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Write down
your weight in pounds.
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Divide your
weight by your height in inches.
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Divide the
answer from step 2 by your height in inches.
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Then multiply
the answer from step 3 by 703.
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The resulting
answer is your BMI.
To calculate your
BMI using metric measurements, follow these steps:
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Write down
your weight in kilograms.
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Divide your
weight by your height in centimeters.
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Divide the
answer from step 2 by your height in centimeters.
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Then multiply
the answer from step 3 by 10,000.
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The resulting
answer is your BMI.
For more
information go to
Heart Power |
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