Page 7 - Healthy Kids Now - Winter 2022/2023

Healthy weight, hWealthier body
eighing too much has been linked to more than 40 health conditions
in adults. Just a few of these are high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. What does this mean for your child? If your child is overweight or obese during childhood, it could harm their body now and in the future.
What is BMI?
Body mass index (BMI) is a number that offers a quick, easy way for providers to compare your child’s weight to what is usually considered healthy for your child’s age. Providers begin screening for obesity at age 2. These screenings will continue each year through age 19.The provider will use your child’s height, weight, age, and sex to find your child’s BMI.
Here’s what the numbers mean in the growth chart:
• Below the 5th percentile: Underweight
• At or above the 5th – less than the 85th percentile: Healthy weight
• At or above the 85th – less than the 95th percentile: Overweight
• At the 95th percentile or higher: Obese
Plan for a healthy weight
Keep in mind that your child’s BMI doesn’t tell the whole story. But if your child’s BMI falls outside a healthy range, the provider will do additional tests. If your child’s provider says your child needs to make changes to their weight, discuss a plan to help your child reach a healthy weight.
GET CONNECTED
Sign up for email and text messages, and get MORE from Keystone HMO CHIP!
Staying on top of your children’s health is easy when you sign up to receive email and text messages* from Independence Blue Cross.Through our secure text and email messages, you’ll receive:
• valuable health and wellness
information;
• screening reminders for
your children;
• plan notifications and updates;
• savings opportunities.
Sign up today! Visit: www.ibx.com/CHIPconnect.
Questions?
Call 1-800-464-5437 (TTY/TDD: 711).
*Standard message and data rates may apply.
7