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Need to find a doctor
that can help you with
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Body Mass Index (BMI) is an anthropometric index of weight and height (stature) that is
defined as body weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. BMI is the
commonly accepted index for classifying adiposity in adults and it is recommended for use
with children and adolescents.
Like weight-for-height, BMI is a screening tool used to identify individuals who are
underweight or overweight. BMI is not a diagnostic tool. For example, a child who is relatively
heavy may have a high BMI for his or her age or high weight-for-stature. To determine
whether the child has excess fat, further assessment needed might include triceps skinfold
measurements. To determine a counseling strategy, assessments of diet, health, and
physical activity are needed.
BMI is gender specific and age specific for children. BMI-for-age is the measure used for
ages 2 to 20 yearss since BMI changes substantially as children get older. Whereas for adults,
BMI is neither age nor gender specific and nutritional status is defined by fixed cut points. |
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So you have calculated your BMI and found which weight category your BMI matches. What
does this all mean?
BMI is not the only indicator of health risk.
BMI is just one of many factors related to developing a chronic disease (such as heart
disease, cancer, or diabetes). Other factors that may be important to look at when assessing
your risk for chronic disease include:
Diet
Physical Activity
Waist Circumference
Blood Pressure
Blood Sugar Level
Cholesterol Level
Family History of disease |
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All persons who are obese or overweight should try not to gain additional weight. In addition,
those who are obese or who are overweight with other risk factors should consider losing
weight. A complete health assessment by a physician is the best way to decide the right
steps for you.
Whatever your BMI, talk to your doctor to see if you are at an increased risk for disease and
if you should lose weight. Even a small weight loss (just 10% of your current weight) may help to lower the risk of disease.
Physical activity and good nutrition are key factors in leading a healthy lifestyle and reducing
risk for disease.
Common Myths
Myth: BMI Measures Body Fat
Two people can have the same BMI, but a different percent body fat. A bodybuilder with a
large muscle mass and a low percent body fat may have the same BMI as a person who has
more body fat because BMI is calculated using weight and height only.
These men have the same height, weight, and BMI, but may have different percent body fat. |
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This is a good reminder that BMI is only one piece of a person's health profile. It is
important to talk with your doctor about other measures and risk factors. (e.g., waist
circumference, smoking, physical activity level, and diet.)
Myth: BMI is a diagnostic tool
BMI alone is not diagnostic. It is one of many risk factors for disease and death. As
a person's BMI increases the risk for many diseases increases as well.
If you would like to calculate your BMI please visit the BMI Calculator. |
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There are several advantages to using BMI-for-age as a screening tool for overweight and underweight. BMI-for-age provides a reference for adolescents that was not previously available. When the 1977 NCHS growth charts were developed, weight-for-height percentiles were provided only for prepubescent girls up to 10 yearss and for boys up to 11.5 yearss. BMI-for-age is the only indicator that allows us to plot a measure of weight and height with age on the same chart. Age and stage of sexual maturation are highly related to body fatness. BMI-for-age was not available in the 1977 charts.
Another advantage is that BMI-for-age is the measure that is consistent with the adult index so BMI can be used continuously from 2 yearss of age to adulthood.
BMI can be used to track body size beginning at 2 yearss of age and continue throughout the life cycle. This is important since BMI in childhood is a determinant of adult BMI.
Another advantage of using BMI-for-age to screen for overweight or at risk of overweight in children is that it correlates with clinical risk factors for cardiovascular disease including hyperlipidemia, elevated insulin, and high blood pressure. Freedman and colleagues* used data from the Bogalusa Heart Study and found that approximately 60% of 5- to 10 years-old children who were overweight had at least one biochemical or clinical risk factor for cardiovascular disease such as those just mentioned, and 20% had two or more risk factors.
We know that risk factors in children become chronic diseases in adults. BMI-for-age during pubescence is related to lipid and lipoprotein levels and blood pressure in middle age.
Freedman et al., The relation of overweight to cardiovascular risk factors among children and adolescents: the Bogalusa Heart Study. Pediatrics 1999;103:1175-1182.
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Will your son break the 6 foot mark? Will your daughter tower over you? Use the adult
height predictor calculator to find out an accurate estimate of your child's full adult height! |
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Please note: A wide variety of medical conditions and ethnic backgrounds can cause a child
to reach an adult height different from that predicted using this tool. If you are concerned
about your child's height or think that your child may be growing too fast or too slowly,
consult your health care provider. |
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Disclaimer
The calculators provided in this section are for information purposes only. They are not
meant to be a substitute for professional advise and are not to be used for medical
diagnosis. The calculators provide only approximate values of the indices indicated and
therefore should not be used for clinical or diagnostic purposes. www.medexplore.com.au
makes no claims whatsoever, expressed or implied, about the authenticity, accuracy,
reliability, completeness or timeliness of the material, software, text, graphics and links
given in this section. In no event shall www.medexplore.com.au, its suppliers, affiliates or
any third parties be liable in any manner whatsoever for any damages arising upon use of
any information given in this section in any manner whatsoever. All medical advice and
information should be considered to be incomplete without a physical exam, which is not
possible without a visit to your doctor. |
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| The Charts given below indicate the height and weight averages of normally growing children. |
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| Boys |
| Age |
Weight(Kg) |
Height(cm) |
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| Birth |
3.3 |
50.5 |
| 3 months |
6.0 |
61.1 |
| 6 months |
7.8 |
67.8 |
| 9 months |
9.2 |
72.3 |
| 1 years |
10.2 |
76.1 |
| 2 years |
12.3 |
85.6 |
| 3 years |
14.6 |
94.9 |
| 4 years |
16.7 |
102.9 |
| 5 years |
18.7 |
109.9 |
| 6 years |
20.7 |
116.1 |
| 7 years |
22.9 |
121.7 |
| 8 years |
25.3 |
127.0 |
| 9 years |
28.1 |
132.2 |
| 10 years |
31.4 |
137.5 |
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| Girls |
| Age |
Weight(Kg) |
Height(cm) |
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| Birth |
3.2 |
49.9 |
| 3 months |
5.4 |
60.2 |
| 6 months |
7.2 |
66.6 |
| 9 months |
8.6 |
71.1 |
| 1 years |
9.5 |
75.0 |
| 2 years |
11.8 |
84.5 |
| 3 years |
14.1 |
93.9 |
| 4 years |
16.0 |
101.6 |
| 5 years |
17.7 |
108.4 |
| 6 years |
19.5 |
114.6 |
| 7 years |
21.8 |
120.6 |
| 8 years |
24.8 |
126.4 |
| 9 years |
28.5 |
132.2 |
| 10 years |
32.5 |
138.3 |
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These charts are rough indicators. Nutrition, genetics, birth weight and height contribute to
the height and weight development in the early yearss. Therefore there is bound to be
variation from the chart provided above. If there is a more-than-20-percent variation seek
a doctor`s advice. |
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1.Breast-feeds for several months, at least until nine months of age.
2.Formula feeds if breast milk is inadequate. Avoid Cow¡¯s milk or dairy milk untill six months
of age.
3.Juices are introduced at the age of 60 days. Orange juice or tomato juice, given initially
diluted with water, after one month undiluted fruit juices.
4.Introduce semi-solid foods when the infant is six kg or by the age four months (When the
baby starts chewing).
5.Start with small serving sizes of one to two teaspoonfuls; increase gradually to three or
four tablespoonfuls per feeding.
6.First introduce rice cereal, later try other cereals. Mixed cereals (wheat, rice and ragi), heat
-treated and powdered, cooked, as porridge will serve as a useful, semi-solid diet. Add a
drop of oil or ghee if needed, for more weight gain. If mashed fruits (Banana) 4-5 months
vegetables by 5-6 months (mashed potatoes, carrots, beetroots, green leaves etc). Rice,
dhal with ghee, iddli, greens, spinach) etc, by six to seven months.
7.For older infants, establish a diet plan such with the (following) 'basic four' for balance and
diversity, depending on personal choice.
a) Milk group.
b) Cereal group.
c) Vegetables/Fruits.
d) Meat/Egg.
8.Provide an intake of milk 500-750ml daily when the intake of solid food is well established.
9.Provide solid food of a texture compatible with infant's ability to chew and swallow.
10.Give single ingredient foods at a time and continue for five days before introducing
another food.
11.Avoid developing infant's taste for an excess of salt or sugar.
12.Biscuits (Marie) by seven months.
13.Curds by seven to eight months.
14.Yolk of egg by six to seven months, white of egg seven to eight months, minced meat,
fish etc. nine to ten months.
15.By ten to 12 months, a planned diet according to the family¡¯s choice.
16.Cucumbers, onion, cabbage be avoided during first years.
17.In the second years of life, a child no longer needs a special infant diet
(but provide lessspicy food). |
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Breast milk is the best food for the newborn. All attempts must be made to give the child breast milk at least for the first six months of its life. As the baby sucks more milk is produced. If the mother has any doubts or problems regarding feeding, she should consult her doctor.
If in a rare case the mother is not able to feed the child, cow¡¯s milk may be given after preparing it in the following manner.
If, for some reason, the mother is unable to feed the child, cow¡¯s milk may then be given after preparing it in the following manner.
Birth to two weeks
One measure of milk for one measure of water.
Third and fourth week
Two measures of milk for one measure of water.
From the end of the first month
Milk can be given with out diluting with water. To every 100ml of milk or diluted milk 1 teaspoon of sugar is to be added.
If spray dried milk available in the market has to be used, it can be mixed in the following manner. It is not necessary to add sugar.
Birth-two weeks
Milk powder, one and half teaspoons with 100ml (boiled and cooled) water.
Third week-Fourth week
Milk Powder two teaspoons with 100ml water.
From end of first month
Milk powder three teaspoons with 100ml water.
For feeding the child, use wide mouthed bottles or beaked feeding cup and ensure that they are sterilized in hot water before every feed. As the child grows older, in addition to breast milk, milk powders and cow's milk, the following items have to be gradually added to the Child¡¯s diet.
After the completion of the fourth month
Wheat or ragi gruel may be given. Two teaspoons of ragi or wheat flour are added to 100 ml of milk and 2 tsp. of sugar. The preparation is boiled for about 12 minutes and once a day, a small amount of ghee or oil can be added to this feed. Once the child is used to this feed it can be given twice or thrice every day. Instead of ragi, rice or wheat, tinned foods can also be given to the child.
Six to Eight Months
Small quantities of mashed Idlies (rice puddings) or Pongal (rice and lentil preparation) or mashed plantains or oranges can be given to the child.
Ninth month
In the morning, two small Idlies can be given. Along with this, 500ml of milk should also be given. Egg, meat and fish can also be started from this month onwards.
By the end of the first years
The requirement of milk starts to decrease and the child requires only around 300 ml of milk per day. Gradually, the amount of solid feeds should be increased. Rice mixed with dhal must be given atleast twice everyday.
Use of tonics
Children who fed with breast milk or those who are receiving milk powders do not generally require tonics. However, children who are fed with cow¡¯s milk require vitamin drops for the first few months.
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Breast Milk is the best type of feed for a baby. The reasons are many:
Nutritional:
¤ıIt is nature's provision for the baby. For each species nature provides nourishment that
matches the needs for the young one. Breast milk has enzymes, hormones, and immuno
globulins that gives the ideal nutrition and cannot be matched by tinned food.
¤ıThe composition of breast milk varies from month to month, providing the type of nutrition
that the baby needs at that point in its life.
¤ıIt contains the Omega-3 fatty acid DHA, important in brain development.
¤ıIt is raw. It is not contaminated by handling. Therefore it is highly nutritious.
¤ıThe colostrum your baby receives in the first few days and later breast milk, contains
antibodies which will help increase your baby's resistance to infection. On the other hand
bottles, if not maintained hygienically, can make the child prone to infection.
¤ıBreast milk contains all the nutrients your baby needs for at least the first six months of
his life. You need not look for supplements.
For the baby:
¤ıIt satisfies the baby's inborn desire to suck.
¤ıIt is most comforted by the smells and rhythms of the mother and being close to her while
feeding enhances this.
¤ıBreast milk is never too cold or too hot or stale.
¤ıIt is easily digestible.
¤ıIt satisfies the baby's hunger and thirst.
¤ıIt increases the bond between the baby and mother.
For the mother:
¤ıIt is readily available. The mother does not have to prepare feeds from time to time.
¤ıIt does not involve cleaning and sterilising of bottles/feeding equipment.
¤ıThe nutritional needs of the baby are met. The mother does not need to look for s
upplements.
¤ıThe baby is healthier and is resistant to diseases, enabling the mother to return to
productive work.
¤ıThe economic benefits of having a healthier baby, with no spending on baby food, bottles,
sterilising equipment are huge.
¤ıBreastfeeding does not mean that the mother has to stay at home all day. Many women
are able to breastfeed as well as work outside home.
¤ıBreastfeeding is a natural contraceptive process.
¤ıWomen who breast-feed get back in shape faster than other mothers. When the baby
feeds oxytocin is released. This hormone makes the uterus contract and return to its pre-
pregnant state more quickly, minimizing blood loss.
¤ıProlaction, which helps you relax, is also released while the baby is breastfed.
¤ıNursing burns up extra calories. Losing weight is easier.
¤ıWomen who have breast fed children are under less risk of breast cancer.
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Another characteristics of the reference population that needs to be considered is that the
growth patterns of breast-fed infants differ from those of formula-fed infants. Generally,
breast-fed infants grow more rapidly in the first 2 months of life and not as rapidly at 3 to 4
months. Breast-fed infants continue to grow less rapidly up to 12 months compared with the
1977 reference data, which were based on mainly formula-fed infants.
The new reference represents the combined growth patterns of both breast- and formula-fed.
bout 50 percent of the infants born were reported to have been breastfed and about 33
percent of those were breastfed 3 months or longer. Because the patterns of growth for
exclusively breast- and formula-fed infants differ, caution must be used when interpreting
growth of exclusively breast-fed infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
recommends exclusively breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continuing for at least 12
months. Currently, a reference for exclusively breast-fed infants is not available. |
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How much sleep do babies need?
An infant sleeps for about 16 hours a day. But there is no hard and fast rule about it. Some
babies may sleep a couple of hours less or more. A baby sleeps in cycles of three to five
hours, whether it is day or night. There is no need to worry about the number of hours an
infant sleeps if otherwise the baby seems normal.
At night, the body produces more of the hormone that stimulates growth. So sleep is
important for a baby's growth.
With each month a gradual change in sleeping pattern and duration happens. The naps get
longer as do the waking hours. Most babies start developing longer night time naps and
shorter naps during the day.
The type of sleep a baby gets is different from adult sleep. Adults get about six hours of
deep sleep and about two hours of REM sleep, mostly at night. Whereas a baby sleeps light
more often and the sleep cycles are shorter.
Is it okay for a baby to wake up once in 3-4 hours, even through the night?
Babies wake up for various reasons, every few hours. Also, their sleep cycles are shorter.
Babies need, nappy change, feed, water or just keep awake. Sometimes they are practising
a newly learned skill, like turning over or moving forward.These are natural causes and there
is no need to worry. The pattern may change when the child learns to sleep longer hours at
night.
Sleep is also interrupted if the child is ill. A mother/carer will be able to observe the
discomfort of the child in this case. Crying, restlessness, changes in feeding/stool patterns
are some indicators. Consult a paediatrician if this is so.
Some infants are restless at night when teething.
Infants also need to learn to/ be helped to sleep. Swaddling, holding, rocking, or feeding
might help the child to doze off.
Why do some babies keep awake at night? Is there some way to make them
sleep longer hours or through the night?
Each infant has its own sleep schedule. Some infants are awake more often in the night.
They may need a feed or a change. Infants also do not automatically associate nighttime
and sleep. But they learn to do so. Most babies do so by six months of age. To help your
child sleep longer hours at night you can try the following:
¤ıWhen the baby wakes up, do not switch on the light or start playing with the baby.
¤ıIf the baby needs a feed or a change do it quickly and quietly, without much fuss.
¤ıFeed the baby in shorter gaps in the evening, if it is willing to take it, so that he or
she does not get hungry too quickly in the night.
¤ıSee if the baby is comfortable. Swaddling the infant will help it to feel warm and secure
as it was in the womb. As the baby grows older, a loose coverlet is preferred.
¤ıBabies can be hypersensitive too. Less noise, less light might help them to go back to
sleep. If you have to shift them from your lap to the bed, do so when they are in deep
sleep. This is when the limbs become limp.
¤ıHolding them snugly, or rocking them quietly can help too. |
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Some common complaints mothers of children under ten yearss of age make:
¤ıMy child is not interested in food. Children of her age eat twice as much as she does.
¤ıLunch box she takes to school comes back, food intact.
¤ıWhat my child relishes today, he refuses to eat tomorrow.
¤ıWhat he says he does not like at home, he manages to eat at his friend's place.
¤ıDoctor's say that children will ask for food when they are hungry. But they do not. They only
get cranky and eat up junk food they can lay their hands on.
¤ıMy child is happy to drink milk or juice. He only resents eating rice or chappathis.
¤ıEven today my child takes such a long time to eat. Rather than watch his plate for an hour,
I prefer to spoon feed him myself.
¤ıMy daughter hates milk.
¤ıMy child will not eat nutritious food. She prefers chips, aerated drinks and chocolates.
Most paediatricians are convinced that these are common behaviour patterns and that
parents need not worry as long as the child's weight is normal and activity level is good.
Some facts parents need to know that will help them understand the child's attitude to food: |
| Appetite slow down |
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A child's growth happens in spurts. In the first years of his or her life the child seems to gain about 15 pounds. Thereafter the child may gain only 3-4 pounds a years for a while. As growth is slower, children seem to need less calorific intake. Even ¡°less¡± is difficult to quantify. Some kids need more and some less. As long as children are active and within the normal weight range, the quantity of food they consume need not be a yardstick of their health.
Children who get frequent colds, mouth ulcers, throat infections or worms often show disinterest in food. These problems have to be tackled first to get the child to eat properly. |
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| Milk |
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Childhood is a time of discovery and amazing mental growth. Children are often impatient with routine and are haring off to play or meddle around in their process of learning. Many of them would rather down a glass of milk or juice and get back to whatever they were doing rather than eat spoon by spoon of solids. Two or three glasses of milk or juice can give the child the basic amount of calories he needs in a day and he may not show much interest in a proper meal.
Three glasses a day is often recommended. But some kids hate milk. Curd could be used as a substitute. |
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| Hunger and Appetite |
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Hunger is the body¡¯s need for energy and the child responds to it. Appetite has connotations of personal taste as well as the need for food. This is cultivated. Why a child prefers one food over the other is not easy to understand. The response depends on taste, smell, texture and associations the food brings. We can persuade the child to eat a nutritious mix but cannot force food down his throat. |
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| Junk Food |
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It is accepted now that some junk food (cheese balls, aerated drinks, chocolate etc) may be permitted. Very strict rules on junk food increases craving. Nothing can stop your child trading her slice of apple for a toffee at break time, if she is determined.
Try to explain to the child that a good mix is essential. Chips or candy can be had in small portions supplementing a regular meal. |
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| Meal times |
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Mealtimes should be regular.
Try to make meal times relaxed. They should not become power struggles.
Do not try to give your child bigger portions and insist on him completing it.
Allow the child to eat by himself. This may be slow, messy or incomplete. But he will get the hang of it soon enough. |
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| Force feeding |
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Forcing a child to eat something he does not like, or a bigger portion than he desires is counterproductive, say nutritionists. It increases the reluctance to eat and decreases the child¡¯s appetite.
Some mothers also feel that the child has not had enough at meal times and try to fill in with snacks or beverages in between. This often takes care of the calorific need of the child and he is even less inclined to have a meal. |
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| Food and Behaviour |
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Parenting is a tough job. Even when you are moulding the child, the child must feel he has the power to make choices. This is true with food as well. Though you should not encourage him to demand his favourite foods always, he must feel he is making choices about what he eats and how much. Smaller portions that he can finish without threat or persuasion makes him feel a sense of achievement.
Children may eat well when with friends, as it is a peer activity. They may also eat food they do not eat at home when they are with friends for the same reason. Or because at a friend¡¯s place the same food is cooked or served a little differently. |
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| Helping children make good food choices: |
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Introduce new foods in small portions along with the familiar.
Offer variety.
Discuss nutrition information with children
Give them healthy alternatives, if they have strong dislike to a particular food.
Allow them to choose food in the supermarkets.
Cut down on fat and increase flavour.
Some children take more interest in food that they help prepare or serve.
Don¡¯t cultivate the taste for canned, sweetened, convenience food or snacks because you may not have time for preparing a proper meal.
Children learn from their environs. It would help if the parents/ family ate healthy meals.
Despite all possible precautions, some children continue to be picky eaters. Parents will have little choice in these cases except to wait out the phase. |
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| Call the doctor |
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Call on your paediatrician if, along with a poor appetite, you notice that:
Your child is not as active as he used to be. He feels tired easily
Your child is losing weight
Your child falls sick quite often. |
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