To calculate your child's BMI, you simply need to know their weight in kilograms and their height in meters. To avoid messy calculations, you can just find a BMI calculator online to do the math for you.

For adults, a healthy BMI is always in the same range, no matter what your age or sex. For children, a healthy BMI range depends the age and sex of the child. It not only varies from year to year, but also from month to month. Adult BMI range can only be used for people aged twenty and over, so even if you child is in high school or even graduated, you should still not be using accepted adult ranges.

The easiest way to find out if your child’s BMI is at a healthy level, is to check it with standardized charts. Basically, your child’s BMI is put on a graph and compared to the BMI of other children of the same age and sex. If BMI level is in the bottom 5th percentile, your child is considered underweight. If they are in the 5th to 85th percentile, your child is of healthy weight. If they are between the 85th and 95th percentile they are considered overweight, and if they are above the 95th percentile, they are considered obese.

If your child’s BMI is too high, you should consult your child’s doctor and set up a diet and exercise plan for your child. Just as in adults, having a BMI that is too high can lead to serious health problems in the distant and not so distant future. If the percentage of fat in your child’s body is too high, they are at risk of developing weight-related problems at a very young age, like type 2 diabetes. Often, small changes will help put your child on the road to a healthy lifestyle.

Most people are only concerned with their child’s BMI if their child is overweight, but calculating BMI can tell you if your child is underweight as well. Being underweight can be just as unhealthy for a child or teen as being overweight. It can also be an indicator that your son or daughter has an eating disorder (yes, sons can have eating disorders, too!). These are serious conditions and you should seek treatment for your child if you suspect a problem.

Your child’s health is important. While there are other tests a doctor may do to determine if your child is in a healthy weight range or at a higher risk of getting health problems, calculating their BMI is a quick and easy way for you to keep track of your child’s weight and general health.

Surgical weight loss is not for everyone. It is primarily for those who have attempted to control weight through more traditional means but failed. Patients must, in most cases, have a body mass index, or BMI, of 40 or more. Those with a BMI of 35 or higher, however, may be considered if they have health problems that are exacerbated by being overweight.

There are three common types of weight loss surgery:

* Adjustable gastric band, or Lap Band surgery – Lap Band surgery has become very popular in recent years. It is minimally invasive and completely reversible. A band is placed around the stomach near the top, creating a small section to store food but allowing it to slowly pass into the larger section. The band can be adjusted to control the amount of food that is allowed to pass through. This creates a feeling of fullness after the consumption of smaller amounts of food.

* Duodenal switch – This involves the removal of a large portion of the stomach. The lower part of the small intestine is bypassed, decreasing the absorption of fat, calories and nutrients.

* Gastric bypass – Gastric bypass surgery involves stapling the stomach, creating a smaller pouch into which food enters and a larger pouch that is blocked off. The small intestine is then rerouted to the smaller pouch. This technique allows the patient to feel full after eating less food, while keeping the stomach intact.

After all types of weight loss surgery, it is necessary to follow your doctor's orders carefully. You will probably have to make major adjustments to your eating habits, and you may need to take vitamin supplements. These things are crucial in order to reduce the risk of complications.

Risks of Weight Loss Surgery

Any kind of surgery carries risks, and weight loss surgery is no exception. The worst of these risks are heart attack, blood clots, and leakage at the connection between the stomach and small intestine. All of these conditions could potentially lead to death. Other possible complications include infection, hernia, pneumonia, and ulcers. It is also likely that gallstones will form after surgery, possibly necessitating removal of the gall bladder. Gastric fistula, a condition in which the parts of the stomach reconnect, can also happen after gastric bypass.

Losing weight by surgical means is not for the average person. But for those who are obese, it is sometimes the most effective option. Weight loss surgery should be carefully considered due to the risks and lifestyle changes necessary, but it can produce astounding results. Your doctor can help you determine whether weight loss surgery is right for you.