Body Weight - What's Normal? / Question
Published: March 16, 2009
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Hi, Im 13 and I'm 5"4 and I way 125...I feel really fat and i was just wondering does my weight+height+age mean I'm overweight?
Signed: 5'4 And Weigh 125
Dear 5'4 And Weigh 125,
One useful way to determine whether someone is in a healthy weight range is by calculating their body mass index (BMI). BMI is a calculation that uses height and weight to estimate how much body fat someone has. It is used to determine how appropriate a person’s weight is for their height, gender, and age.
TeenHealthFX calculated your BMI based on your height, weight and age and found that you have a BMI of 21.5. This places you at the 78th percentile for your age group, and indicates that you are at a healthy weight. A person of your age and height would generally be considered “overweight” if they were between the 85th and 95th percentile, and “obese” if equal to or greater than the 95th percentile. As weight increases for a person to reach the levels referred to as “overweight’ and “obese,” the risk increases for various conditions such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and respiratory problems – so it is important for you to continue to maintain a healthy weight.
If you have concerns about your weight, or other aspects of your physical health, FX suggests that you meet with your primary care physician or an adolescent medicine specialist. We can make certain calculations based on the numbers you give us over the internet – but that cannot compare with an in-person, full physical health exam.
As you continue to maintain a healthy weight, consider some of the following:
- Don’t skip meals. Eat three meals a day and one or two healthy snacks. Make sure that your meals and snacks are in reasonable portions.
- Go through your kitchen and get rid of the unhealthy foods and snacks – foods that are high in sugar, high in saturated fat, or that have lots of preservatives and additives (especially things with hydrogenated oils). Replace these foods with healthier choices like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grain products. That way you can better ensure that your meals and snacks will consist of healthier foods.
- Exercise at least three times a week. You could go walking, swimming, or biking, for example.
- Try to cut down on television, computer, and video game time and replace these activities with things that will keep you up and moving more. Research has shown that people who have more “couch potato” time are much more likely to be overweight than people who are generally more active and on the go.
If you don't have a doctor and live in northern
Signed: TeenHealthFX
The reality of excessive interest rates and fees that often accompany credit card use for teens, can put youngsters in a position where they are losing out on admission to graduate school, getting a job, or renting an apartment because of damaged credit history.
