Life isn't about getting and having, it's about giving and being. Kevin Kruse
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AAP.org > English > About the AAP > News Room > AAP Press Room Media Center > Obesity and BMI
Pediatricians have identified another tool to help them diagnosis, and prevent, childhood obesity. It’s called the BMI – or Body Mass Index. The BMI is a calculated ratio of weight to height and it is widely used by adults to recognize when overweight crosses the line into obesity. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that it be used for children over age 2 as well. More than 15 percent of children over the age of six are at, or above, the 95th percentile for BMI. In other words, they are obese. Some parents may not recognize or accept the potential risk of their child being obese. But by measuring BMI every year, pediatricians can track changes, make suggestions and show parents concrete evidence of problems before a child become severely overweight. If you are worried about your child’s increasing weight, or need help calculating his BMI, talk with your pediatrician.
The above script is part of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) radio series 'A Minute for Kids,' which airs weekdays on WBBM-AM in Chicago, IL.
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