“Your baby’s body mass index (BMI) is used to assess whether the child or teen is the ideal weight, and parents can consult with the pediatrician or at home.
Children’s BMI is a relationship between a child’s weight and height between 6 months and 18 years, indicating whether the current weight is higher, lower, or lower than normal, which helps identify malnutrition or childhood obesity.
To calculate the BMI for children and adolescents, use the following calculator:
Typically, the pediatrician links the value of BMI to age to see if the child or teen’s development progresses as expected. Thus, if it turns out that there are changes in this relationship, the pediatrician may indicate, with the nutritionist, changes in eating habits.
To achieve the right BMI for the child, lifestyle changes and eating habits must be made, involving not only the child, but also the family environment in which it is inserted:
If BMI is lower than normal, it is important to take the child to a pediatrician and nutritionist, as it is necessary to evaluate several factors that help identify the cause of weight loss and what are the nutritional problems that exist, in order to define strategies. that allow the child to regain weight.
In general, weight recovery involves following a diet that includes foods high in protein and good fats, as well as taking a multivitamin and nutritional supplement, such as Pediasure, which helps provide more calories and complements the diet. .
When BMI is high, this may indicate being overweight or obese, and it’s important that treatment focuses on promoting healthy, low-sugar and fat eating habits and behaviors, an appropriate lifestyle that promotes physical activity and promotes positive self-esteem.
To overcome excess weight, treatment should not focus only on the child. It is also important to evaluate the family environment and make changes that involve all family members. In addition, it is best for the overweight child not only to be evaluated by a nutritionist, but by a multidisciplinary team, which also includes a pediatrician and a psychologist, which will allow to achieve and maintain at the same time the change of habits. Extraordinary time.
See more tips in the video below to help your child lose weight healthily: