Checking a Person S BMI (Body Mass

Checking a Person S BMI (Body Mass

It is important to remember not to mistake body shapes as being unhealthy, overweight or underweight. Everyone has different body shapes and sizes and this does not determine whether they are healthy or not.

Checking a person’s BMI (Body mass

Index) can determine whether or not a person is at a healthy weight for their height.

Why do we use BMI?

It provides a good indicator for level of body fat, and it is known that having a BMI that is either too low or too high is associated with

an increased risk of ill health during childhood as well as later in life.

  • BMI is a quick and easy way to calculate and as a result, is used for population surveys and by health professionals when assessing individual patients/clients.
  • BMI is the most frequently used measure for assessing whether or not a person is overweight, underweight or a healthy weight.

How does BMI differ for children?

BMI is figured out the same way for adults and children, but for adults, the normal range of BMI is the same for all adults. With children, they grow at different rates, so it is a measure of weight for height for them, compared to other children their age. When you calculate a child’s BMI and compare it for age, you create what’s called a BMI or body mass index Centile.

  • A BMI above the 91st centile suggest overweight.
  • A BMI above 98th centile Suggest Very overweight (Clinically Obese)
  • A BMI under the 2nd centile may reflect undernutirtion

For further reading on BMI

REMEMBER WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU NOT JUDGE YOU.

BE HEALTHY BE ACTIVE

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WHAT DOES A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE MEAN?

BEING HEALTHY DOES NOT NEED TO BE BORING, HERE ARE SOME FREE, FUN, PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

  • Running (in a safe place) with your friends
  • Walking with music (but be aware of your surroundings)
  • Dancing to your favourite music
  • Helping around the house
  • Skipping
  • Riding a bike

Let’s think about healthy weight?

Being underweight or overweight can be unhealthy.

There are foods that give you the nutrients you need to maintain your health, feel good and have energy. These nutrients include protein, carbohydrates, fat, water, vitamins and minerals.

If you don’t eat enough food you will lose weight and if you eat too much you will put on weight. It is important to have healthy balances

of foods each day. (Please refer to food plate picture for healthy balanced diet).

We all like to eat unhealthy foods from time to time; however here are simple and easy resolutions to introduce a healthier option.

  • Replace fried food for grilled or oven baked
  • Swap Crisps for popcorn or peanuts (if you’re not allergic of course)
  • Swap Sweets for a piece fruit (fresh or dry).
  • Swap Fizzy drinks for sparkling flavoured water or still.
  • Swap full fat milk for semi skimmed milk
  • Less chips and more vegetables/salads
  • Swap boiled vegetables for steamed
  • Smaller Portion sizes
  • Swap white rice for brown rice
  • Swap white bread for brown or 50/50 bread.

Small changes to your eating habits can make big changes to your health.

Physical health can be defined as an essential part of overall health of an individual, which includes everything from

Physical fitness to overall wellbeing. Healthy eating and physical activities will contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

For further reading on healthy diets and portion sizes