Doctors use body mass index (BMI) measurements to assess a child's physical growth in relation to other kids the same age. Here's how to calculate BMI and understand what the numbers mean.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Learn more about head injuries (head trauma).

ACL injuries can happen in active and athletic kids when excessive pressure is put on the knee joint, resulting in a torn ligament.

Bike riding is a great way to get exercise and share time as a family. But there's an important factor that you need to consider - safety.

Burners (or stingers) are injuries to the nerve network in the shoulder, arm, forearm, hand, and fingers. They're pretty common in sports and usually go away quickly.

Even though exercise has many positive benefits, too much can be harmful. Teens who exercise compulsively are at risk for both physical and psychological problems.

Sometimes kids lose fluids and salts through fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or sweating. Here are some tips on preventing or treating dehydration.

A broken bone needs emergency medical care. Here's what to do if you think your child just broke a bone.

In hot weather, a child's internal temperature can rise and cause heat exhaustion, which can progress to heatstroke if not treated quickly.

Although they can be serious, nosebleeds are common in children ages 3 to 10 years and most stop on their own.

Here's what to do if you think your child has pulled or torn a muscle, ligament, or tendon.

If your child loses a baby tooth, there's no need to replace it. But if a permanent tooth is dislodged, it's a dental emergency. Here's what to do.

Head injuries can be external or internal. Learn more about both kinds, how to prevent them, and what to do if your child is injured.

Active kids can be at risk for heat illness, which can result in heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heatstroke. Learn how to prevent and treat heat illness.

Knee injuries are common among young athletes. Learn about causes, treatments, and prevention.

MCL injuries can happen in active and athletic kids, when excessive pressure is put on the knee joint, resulting in a torn ligament.

Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is one of the most common causes of knee pain in adolescents. It's really not a disease, but an overuse injury.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (or runner's knee) is the most common overuse injury among runners, but it can also happen to other athletes who do activities that require a lot of knee bending.

Following these safety guidelines can make neighborhood playgrounds entertaining and safe for your kids.

Participation in sports can teach kids sportsmanship and discipline. But sports also carry the potential for injury. Here's how to protect your kids.

Baseball is by no means a dangerous sport. But it can present a very real risk of injuries from things like wild pitches, batted balls, and collisions in the field. These safety tips can help keep your kids safe on the diamond.

Basketball is fun - but it's also a contact sport, and injuries happen. To help your kids stay safe on the basketball court, take a look at these safety tips.

As fun as it is, ice hockey carries a very real risk of injury. To keep your kids as safe as possible, follow these tips.

Skateboarding is undeniably cool, but it's also easy for riders to get hurt. Help your kids keep it safe with these safety tips.

Skiing is fun but also has some very real dangers. Make sure your kids follow these safety tips to learn how to stay safe on the slopes.

Sledding is a lot of fun, but can also cause injuries, some of them pretty serious. To keep your kids safe while sledding, make sure they follow these safety tips.

Snowboarding is a great way to have fun and get exercise, but it has some very real dangers. These safety tips can help keep your family safe on the slopes.

Just as professional sports stars need medical care to keep them playing their best, so do student athletes. That's why it's important to make sure that kids and teens get a sports physical.

Get the facts about steroids, their side effects, and what can drive kids and teens to try them.

Kids need constant supervision around water - whether the water is in a bathtub, pool, the sea, or a water park. Here's how to keep them safe.

You know the importance of exercising and eating nutritious foods, but do you know how to raise a healthy and active child? Get practical advice and tips.

While growth slows somewhat during the toddler years, it's a new era where kids will eat and drink more independently.

We build almost all our bone density when we're kids and teens. Kids with strong bones have a better chance of avoiding bone weakness later in life. Here's how parents can help.

Vitamin D deficiency is a condition that happens when a person isn't getting enough vitamin D, which is needed for strong bones and overall health.

If your kids come in from school and head straight for the kitchen for something to eat, here's how to make sure they still have room for a healthy dinner.

Start their day in a berry way. Serve blueberry oatmeal squares, a heart-healthy breakfast or anytime snack.

Even if you eat a healthy morning meal every day, it can be tough to get kids fueled up. Here's how to make breakfast more appealing.

Here are answers to common questions about getting started with breastfeeding.

Here's info about how often to breastfeed your baby, how long it takes to nurse, and much more.

Here are answers to some common questions about going out in public as a breastfeeding mom - from how to do it discreetly to taming sneaky leaks.

Here are answers to some common questions about preventing and reducing breastfeeding discomfort, such as nipple and breast pain.

Here are answers to some common questions about pumping your breast milk - from buying a pump to making the process a little easier.

Here are answers to some common questions about how to keep breast milk and how to clean and sterilize supplies, from bottles to nipples to breast pump parts.

Here are answers to some common questions about breastfed babies and sleep - from where they should snooze to when they'll finally start sleeping through the night.

Here are answers to some common supplemental feeding questions - from when to introduce solids to offering breastfed babies formula.

Here are answers to some questions about common breastfeeding concerns - from biting to spitting up.

Here are answers to some common questions about your milk supply - from having too much to having too little.

Here are answers to some common questions about what breastfeeding mothers should and shouldn't eat and drink.

Making a decision to breastfeed or formula feed your baby is a personal one. There are some points to consider to help you decide which option is best for you and your baby.

Caffeine is in many foods and drinks, but it's wise to keep caffeine consumption to a minimum, especially in younger kids. Here's why.

Milk and other calcium-rich foods help build strong, healthy bones. But most kids and teens don't get enough calcium. Here's how to make sure that yours do.

Carbs are the body's most important and readily available source of energy. The key is to eat healthy ones, like whole grains, and avoid foods with added sugar.

Check out this easy heart-healthy recipe - mmmm, chocolate!

Most parents probably don't think about what cholesterol means for their kids. But high cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, which has its roots in childhood.

Inviting kids into the kitchen to help you cook can be a great way to create quality together time and help your child learn and refine some basic skills.

It may take a little flexibility and prep work, but time in the kitchen with your preschooler can be a culinary adventure you'll both enjoy.

Why encourage school-age kids to join you in the kitchen? Because the lessons learned there can be helpful both at home and in school.

To eat well during pregnancy, your extra calories should come from nutritious foods that contribute to your baby's growth and development.

Some fats are good for kids and an important part of a healthy diet. Here's what parents should know.

Toddlers have little tummies, so serve foods that are packed with the nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong, and limit the sweets and empty calories.

Whether you've chosen to breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby, your infant will let you know when it's time to eat.

How can you tell if your baby is ready for solids? Learn how and when to get started.

At this age, babies start to explore table foods.

These guidelines on breastfeeding and bottle feeding can help you know what's right for you and your baby.

Many appetizing foods are also good sources of fiber - from fruits to whole-grain cereals. Here are ways to help kids get more fiber in their everyday diets.

Find out how to make healthy food choices for your family by reading food labels.

When they're around 9 months old, babies can begin feeding themselves. Find out which foods are safe, healthy options and which should not be served to little ones.

Why is food safety important? And how can you be sure your kitchen and the foods you prepare in it are safe?

Shopping for formula-feeding supplies can be daunting. Here are answers to some common questions about formula feeding.

Get answers to some common formula-feeding inquiries, from how much newborns eat to what their diapers might look like.

Check out these formula-feeding bottle basics, from how to mix bottles to how to store them safely.

Read about how to manage common formula-feeding concerns, from spitting up and fussiness to gas and milk allergies.

Find answers to common inquiries about introducing solids and whole milk to formula-fed babies.

For health-conscious parents, Halloween can be tricky. Do you set limits? Do you let kids decide how much to eat? There isn't just one right answer.

Make mealtimes more pleasant and less stressful for everyone by learning how to handle a picky eater.

Good nutrition and a balanced diet help kids grow up healthy. Here's how to improve nutrition and encourage smart eating habits.

What you put in the grocery cart can affect your child's health and attitude toward nutritious food.

Your preschooler eats lunch, then 20 minutes later claims to be hungry. Is a snack OK? Maybe yes, maybe no. Here's why.

Iron is an important ingredient needed to make hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying part of every red blood cell.

Waistlines have been expanding over the last few decades. Part of the problem is what we eat, but another is quantity. Are our plates simply piled too high?

Here are 10 simple tips to help you raise kids who develop healthy eating habits!

Check out this easy heart-healthy recipe for delicious soup.

Do your toddler's veggies end up on the floor or cold on the plate? Try these tips.

The USDA's food guide icon is designed to make meal planning easy. Here's how to get MyPlate onto your table.

With heart-healthy olives and salmon, this dish packs a double punch when it comes to nutrition.

Learn about an easy way to remember the basics of a healthy lifestyle for your kids.

Kids need daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Here's how to make sure the produce you buy and prepare is safe.

Packing school lunches are a chance to steer kids toward good nutrition. Here are ideas for some fun and easy lunchbox options.

If the right foods are offered at the right times, snacks can play an important role in managing kids' hunger and boosting nutrition.

Healthy and well-timed snacks can help fill in nutritional gaps for preschoolers. But how do you turn yours into a smart snacker?

Some toddlers may seem too busy exploring to slow down and eat. Others may be fickle about food or refuse to eat at mealtime. That's where healthy, well-timed snacks come in.

When it comes to keeping your kid hydrated, there's a dizzying array of drinks to choose from. Are sports and energy drinks right for your child?

Sports supplements are products used to enhance athletic performance. But there aren't enough long-term studies to know if they're safe for teens.

Find out if your baby is ready for solid foods, and if so, what to give, how to give it, and which foods to avoid.

During the preschool years, kids are more willing to cooperate. So it's a great time to teach them about healthy food choices in new and exciting ways.

Love your heart with this colorful salad that's good for you.

By anticipating problems and offering choices, you can teach your toddler healthy eating habits and avoid power struggles about food.

Vegetarian diets have become more popular, and many parents may wonder if kids can safely follow a vegetarian diet and still get all the nutrients necessary for growing up healthy and strong.

Vitamin D is needed for strong bones, but is hard to come by because it's found in few foods. Here's how to make sure kids get enough vitamin D.

"What's the right weight for my child?" is one of the most common questions parents have. It seems like a simple one, but it's not always easy to answer.

Try this recipe for 15-Minute Salmon today.

Meals that have kid appeal can deliver the vitamins and minerals that growing bodies need. Here are some simple tips for trimming the fats from kids' favorite foods and packing them with more of the nutrients they need.

These recipes are especially for kids who need a gluten-free diet. Kids who need a gluten-free diet must avoid foods that contain gluten, which is a type of protein found in many foods.

These high-calorie recipes are especially for kids with cystic fibrosis (CF). Kids with CF may need additional calories to meet their nutritional needs. Check out these delicious recipes.

These recipes were created for kids with diabetes, but can be enjoyed by anyone looking for nutritious meals and snacks.

These recipes are especially for kids with lactose intolerance. Kids with lactose intolerance often need to limit or avoid dairy products.

These recipes are for anyone following a vegetarian (meat-free) diet.

Prepare tasty homemade blueberry muffins with this easy recipe.

Start their day in a berry way. Serve blueberry oatmeal squares, a heart-healthy breakfast or anytime snack.

Check out this easy heart-healthy recipe - mmmm, chocolate!

Make delicious cornbread with this easy recipe.

Make fruit kabobs with your kids with this easy recipe.

This recipe is a favorite with kids, and with some minor changes to cut the fat and calories and increase vitamins and minerals, it can be a favorite with parents, too.

This recipe is a favorite with kids, and with some minor changes to cut the fat and calories and increase vitamins and minerals, it can be a favorite with parents, too.

With some minor changes to cut the fat and calories and increase vitamins and minerals, this favorite kids food can be a hit with parents, too.

With some minor changes to cut the fat and calories and increase vitamins and minerals, this favorite kids food can be a hit with parents, too.

With some minor changes to cut the fat and calories and increase vitamins and minerals, this favorite kids food can be a hit with parents, too.

Check out this easy heart-healthy recipe for delicious soup.

Make delicious oatmeal with this easy recipe.

With heart-healthy olives and salmon, this dish packs a double punch when it comes to nutrition.

Make an easy, delicious peach freeze with this recipe.

Homemade peanut butter is delicious and easy to make.

Make peanut butter muffins with this easy and delicious recipe.

Make pretzels with your kids with this easy recipe.

Make delicious strawberry bars with this easy recipe.

This recipe is especially for kids with lactose intolerance, who need to limit or avoid dairy products.

Love your heart with this colorful salad that's good for you.

These tiny pizzas are tasty and easy to make.

This recipe is especially for kids with lactose intolerance, who need to limit or avoid dairy products.

These portable veggie bowls are simple to make and delicious.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Kids parked on the couch watching TV or glued to a computer/smartphone/gaming system are missing out on the great outdoors. It's important for all kids to get outside - here are some ideas.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Do your toddler's veggies end up on the floor or cold on the plate? Try these tips.

Team sports can be too complicated for the average preschooler. Here are some fun and easy ways to keep them active.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say.

We build almost all our bone density when we're kids and teens. Kids with strong bones have a better chance of avoiding bone weakness later in life. Here's how parents can help.

Kids who have celiac disease, a disorder that makes their bodies react to gluten, can't eat certain kinds of foods. Find out more - including what foods are safe and where to find them.

Kids with cerebral palsy often have trouble eating. But with the right diet and feeding techniques, they can get the nutrients needed to thrive.

To eat well during pregnancy, your extra calories should come from nutritious foods that contribute to your baby's growth and development.

Helping your child manage an egg allergy means reading food labels carefully, being aware of what he or she eats, and carrying the right medicines in case of an allergic reaction.

All kids need to eat balanced meals and have a healthy diet. But should that balance change for kids who play on a sports team or work out?

Food allergies can cause serious and even deadly reactions in kids, so it's important to know how to feed a child with food allergies and to prevent reactions.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common intestinal problem that can cause cramps, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Certain foods can trigger these problems. So can anxiety, stress, and infections.

A ketogenic diet is a strict high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that can reduce, and sometimes stop, seizures.

Almost all infants are fussy at times. But some are very fussy because they have an allergy to the protein in cow's milk, which is the basis for most commercial baby formulas.

If your child is allergic to nuts or peanuts, it's essential to learn what foods might contain them and how to avoid them.

Nutrition therapy is an alternative to medicines that doctors use to ease the symptoms of Crohn's disease. It can help improve nutrition and growth, ease inflammation, and heal the gastrointestinal tract.

Vegetarian diets have become more popular, and many parents may wonder if kids can safely follow a vegetarian diet and still get all the nutrients necessary for growing up healthy and strong.

Most women benefit greatly from exercising throughout their pregnancies. But during that time, you'll need to make a few changes to your normal exercise routine.

Kids who enjoy exercise tend to stay active throughout their lives. Learn how to encourage fitness in your teen.

Kids this age are naturally active, so be sure to provide lots of opportunities for your child to practice basic skills, such as running, kicking, and throwing.

Take advantage of your child's natural tendency to be active. Staying fit can help improve kids' self-esteem and decrease the risk of serious illnesses later in life.

School-age kids need physical activity to build strength, coordination, confidence, and to lay the groundwork for a healthy lifestyle.

Some kids aren't natural athletes and they may say they just don't like sports. What then?

Besides enjoying the health benefits of regular exercise, kids who are physically fit are better able to handle physical and emotional challenges.

Parents can help instill a love of activity and help kids make it a part of their everyday routine.

A preschooler's desire to move, move, move makes this a great time to encourage fitness habits that can last a lifetime.

Being active is a key component of good health for all school-age kids. So how do you get kids motivated to be active, especially those who aren't gifted athletes?

Preschoolers have a lot of energy, and the physical skills and coordination to ride a tricycle or chase a butterfly.

Kids ages 3-5 have tons of energy and are eager to walk, run, dance, and play. It's a great age for exploration too.

Toddlers are learning to talk, to walk and run, and to assert their independence. For many in this age group, "outside" and "play" are common requests.

Team sports can be too complicated for the average preschooler. Here are some fun and easy ways to keep them active.

Organized sports can help kids grow in many ways. Consider your child's age, personality, and abilities to help make sports fun.

One of the most important goals of kids' sports is helping children develop a sense of good sportsmanship. Here's how to set a good example for your kids.

With a properly designed and supervised program, strength training can be a fun way for kids to build healthy muscles, joints, and bones.

By anticipating problems and offering choices, you can teach your toddler healthy eating habits and avoid power struggles about food.

Failure to thrive refers to a child's inability to gain weight and grow as expected for kids of the same age and gender. Most diagnoses are made in the first few years of life.

Kids who eat unusually large amounts of food - and feel guilty or secretive about it - could be struggling with binge eating disorder.

Doctors use body mass index (BMI) measurements to assess a child's physical growth in relation to other kids the same age. Here's how to calculate BMI and understand what the numbers mean.

Eating disorders are common among teens and kids, especially young women. Read about the warning signs, prevention strategies, and ways to help a child with an eating disorder.

A healthy and positive body image means liking your body, appreciating it, and feeling grateful for its qualities and capabilities. Parents can help kids develop a healthy body image.

Most kids follow growth patterns that are normal, but others have ”failure to thrive” – they fail to gain weight as expected and have poor height growth.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Many kids have lactose intolerance - trouble digesting lactose, the main sugar in milk and milk products - which can cause cramps, diarrhea, and gas.

Brandon, 17, has lost 70 pounds through better eating and exercise. Learn what inspires him to stay on track.

Preventing kids from becoming overweight means making choices in the way your family eats and exercises, and how you spend time together.

Some young kids have the eating disorder pica, which is characterized by cravings to eat nonfood items.

When diet and exercise aren't enough to help shed stubborn pounds, weight loss surgery may be an option for teens who are very overweight.

"What's the right weight for my child?" is one of the most common questions parents have. It seems like a simple one, but it's not always easy to answer.