Health Library

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:

• Encourage kids to be active every day. Experts recommend that kids get 60 minutes or more of physical activity daily.
• Offer fruits and vegetables at meals and snacks and encourage your child to eat five or more servings a day.
• Serve the right portion sizes for your child’s age.
• Limit sugar-sweetened beverages and offer low-fat milk or water instead.
• Limit screen time (time spent watching TV, playing video games, using a smartphone, computer, or other device) to less than 2 hours a day.
• Set a good example by eating healthy, being physically active, and limiting the time you spend in front of a screen.