answersLogoWhite

0

Weight charts for children and teens are different than charts for adults. A teen older than 12 should strive for a BMI between 19 and 21 (Fred Pescatore, M.D., "Feed Your Kids Well", Chapter 7, p. 77). However, different teens develop differently (some faster, some slower), so even though your BMI is above 21, you might still have a healthy weight. If you are concerned about your weight, please talk to your parents and with your pediatrician.

Also, if you are considering losing weight, this should be done under the careful supervision of your pediatrician. Popular diets (e.g. Atkins, Ornish, Zone, etc.) are designed for adults and were not time-tested on children and teens. Since children and teens have different nutritional needs than adults, such diets are potentially dangerous for their health and development. So if you believe you have a weight problem, the issue should be discussed with a pediatrician.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?