Quiz the Coach - I've Got BMI Blues

So ya dig sports but need some help with your game? Don't understand some of the rules of football, basketball or hockey? Got a gripe about P.E. class, skateboarders, cheerleading, coaches, or anything? Why not ?

Hey Coach,
I'm 14 and I have a BMI just on the verge of regular weight/overweight. It's around 24.9. The numbers really tick me off and I've finally gotten sick of it. Summer is coming up, and I hate wearing lighter, more "skin bearing" clothes because I have too much shame. I wanna change but I don't know how to start! Please help!
haKs

Hey haKs

Sorry to hear about your BMI blues. Your body mass index, or BMI, estimates how much body fat a person has based on his or her weight and height. The BMI formula uses height and weight measurements to come up with a number that can be plotted on a chart. The chart then tells a person whether he or she is underweight, average weight, at risk of becoming overweight, or overweight. There are different charts for males and females under the age of 20.

The BMI is only an indicator of a person's body fat - it's NOT perfect. It certainly doesn't mean you need to be ashamed of anything or embarassed about wearing "skin bearing" clothes. For example, girls and guys often gain weight rapidly and have an increase in their BMI while they go through puberty. A person may also have a high BMI because they have a large frame or a lot of muscle, instead of lots of fat. A small person with a tiny frame may have a normal BMI, but have too much body fat. The BMI chart gives you an idea of whether you're overweight, but it's not fool proof.

Talk to your doctor or a school nurse to find out what your ideal weight is. If your BMI is on the high side, don't stress out. Your doctor can suggest ways for you to eat healthier and get more exercise, so you can improve your body mass index. Controlling a weight problem while you're still a kid can help you avoid becoming an overweight adult and developing health problems like diabetes and heart disease.

Do you need tips or advice on sports, fitness or health? to the Kidzworld Coach. Keep in mind peeps, the Kidzworld Coach isn't a doctor or a professional athlete or anything like that. He's just a dude who digs sports, plays 'em and knows a lot about 'em. You should always talk to your 'rents, a doctor or your school gym teacher before starting a new sport or a new exercise.

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