Body Mass Tool for Children and Teens

This means your child is too thin. An ideal number for your child's sex and age is between and .

It may be OK for your child to be thin. Or maybe a medical problem could be causing your child to be too thin. Talk with your child's doctor.

This number means your child is at an ideal weight. An ideal BMI for your child's sex and age is between and .

Having an ideal weight means your child’s diet is balanced out with his or her level of activity. Your child may eat the right amount of food for a healthy weight but still not what he or she needs for good overall health. That's why it's still important for your child to eat healthy foods and get plenty of exercise. Good habits learned now will last a lifetime.

This BMI means your child is at risk of being too heavy. An ideal BMI for your child's sex and age is between and .

Being too heavy is a point at which your child's weight is no longer healthy. Although your child isn't yet obese, work with your doctor to prevent future problems. A heavy child may develop problems with self-esteem. And doctors are finding that heavy children develop health problems such as diabetes early in life.

Children who are too heavy usually stay that way as adults. In adults this boosts the risk of serious diseases such as stroke, heart attack, diabetes, and arthritis. So now is the time to teach your child healthy habits.

This BMI means your child is too heavy. An ideal BMI for your child's gender and age is between and .

Being too heavy is a point at which your child's weight is no longer healthy. A too heavy child may develop problems with self-esteem. And doctors are finding that heavy children develop health problems such as diabetes early in life.

Children who are too heavy usually stay that way as adults. In adults this boosts the risk of serious diseases such as stroke, heart attack, diabetes, and arthritis. So now is the time to teach your child healthy habits.