Teen Health

Date: 08/22/20

It’s important for teens to maintain a healthy weight. Knowing what that healthy weight is for your teen is just as important.

In a recent study by the Journal of School Nursing, they found that American teens who don’t know their healthy weight are more likely to take part in unhealthy diets and eating habits, and more likely to live an inactive lifestyle. Those who have correct understandings of their weight are more likely to practice healthier habits and avoid risky weight-loss methods.

In this study, research was done on 12,000 U.S. teens ages 15-17. They found that 32 percent were overweight. Of those teens, nearly 23 percent did not have a true read on their weight. Teens either thought they were overweight for their body type, but were actually health. Or they thought they were healthy, but were actually overweight for their body type. Girls were more likely than boys to get this wrong.

Why does this matter?

Teens who don’t know their healthy weight are more likely to make poor decisions about their health. They may not eat the right foods or get the physical activity they need. They might become obese or develop an eating disorder.

How can your teen better understand their personal healthy weight?

You can help your teen calculate and understand their Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is calculated using height and weight to estimate how much body fat someone has. Knowing your BMI can help you to know if you are underweight, overweight, obese, or at a healthy weight.

For more information on BMI and other teen health topics, check out these helpful links below:

Last Updated: 08/11/2020