Skip Navigation

Display Mode:

  • Choose Default Style
  • Choose High Contrast
PAMF Preteen Health Education California
  • Preteen Home
  • About the Preteen Group
  • PAMF Home
  • My Body
  • My Feelings
  • Growing Up
  • My Interests
  • For Parents & Teachers
Section TitleMy Body
  • Dental Health
  • Body Science
  • Especially for Boys
  • Especially for Girls
  • A Message from Your Pediatrician
  • Fitness
  • Nutrition
  • Glossary of Terms
    Main content

    Body Mass Index

    What is a Healthy Weight?

    Most people worry about how much they weigh -- young and old alike. Some worry about obesity, being too overweight. Among teens in the United States, obesity is a serious problem effecting many youth. Too much body fat can lead to serious health conditions, including diabetes and heart problems.

    On the other end are those who worry so much that they starve themselves. Eating disorders are a major problem among preteens and especially among girls.

    You should consult your doctor if you have problems with either obesity or eating disorders to get help now.

    What should I Weigh?
    Most adults can tell if they are overweight by using the Body Mass Index (also known as BMI) -- a way of estimating how much body fat you have based on your height and weight. There are many BMI calculators on the Internet for finding an "adult" BMI score.

    However, in teens, the body mass index is used differently by your doctor to tell if you are underweight, overweight or at risk for being overweight. Body fatness changes over the years as you grow. Also, girls and boys differ in their body fatness as they mature. This is why BMI for kids and teens, also referred to as BMI-for-age, is gender and age specific.

    Your physician can tell you what your weight should be based on your gender, age, height and weight. If you need to lose or gain some weight, your doctor can provide guidance on changing your weight safely.
    Back to top

    Kids jumping
    By Derek Chan, college student writer

    Reviewed by the Web Content Committee of PAMF

    Sources:
    Fitness, 4Girls Health. National Women's Health Information Center.

    Be a Fit Kid, Kidshealth.org.

    Body Mass Index, Kidshealth.org.
    • Website Feedback
    • Site Map

    © 2013 Palo Alto Medical Foundation. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health®, Reg. U.S. Patent. & Trademark office.
    Serving communities around Palo Alto, Mountain View, Fremont, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Dublin, San Mateo & Santa Cruz.