My son is 6 years old, and I just got his BMI report card from school. It says he is overweight. What does that mean? What do I do now?
– Amy
BMI, or body mass index, is a calculation that uses height and weight to estimate how much body fat a person has. Childhood obesity is a serious problem, so many schools have added BMI to the annual health screening of their students.
Some parents are uncomfortable with the idea of a BMI report card. But an overweight child has a greater chance of developing health problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Parents should share the BMI information with their child's doctor, who can help interpret the results and offer advice.
Here are some tips to help kids maintain a healthy weight:
Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date Reviewed: Jan 1, 2020