It's Normal to be Different

You can track your growth using a Height Chart and the Body Mass Index Chart (there are charts for guys and girls). They both show how you compare to you—last year and the year before. Plot your growth every six months or so. With a Height Chart, you can even get an idea of where your growth pattern is headed. But, like the bathroom scale, a Height Chart or a BMI Chart won't tell how much body fat, bone, or muscle you have.

The charts below show how Derek and Janine plotted their height and their BMI for three years.



Derek's Height Chart

Height Chart: Shows your increase in height from year to year.

To mark the chart, they found their height in inches on the left side of the chart and their age on the bottom. At age 13, Derek's height is at the 50th percentile; Janine's is at the 90th percentile. That means if Derek lined up as one of 100 boys at his age, 49 would be shorter than he, and 50 would be taller. And if Janine lined up as one of 100 girls her age, 89 girls would be shorter and 10 would be taller.

Janine's Height Chart

Derek's BMI Chart

Body Mass Index (or BMI) Chart: Helps you look at your body size over time, taking both your height and weight into account. Everyone has his or her own pattern of growth. However your own pattern of growth shows up on the chart, it can be normal for you.

Janine's BMI Chart


How to use the BMI Chart ............

Here's how Derek figured out his BMI:

  • First, he changed his height to meters - 1.6 m (his height in inches  x  0.0254)
  • Then changed his weight into kilograms - 50.9 kg (his weight in pounds  x  0.4535)
  • Then he squared his height - 1.6m  x  1.6 m = 2.56m²
  • Then, he figured his BMI - 50.9 kg ÷ 2.56m² = 20 (rounded).

    • To mark the chart, Derek found his BMI on the left side of the chart and his age along the bottom.

    Track Your Growth

    Page 2 of the Student Activity Booklet helps you track your growth pattern over time
    using the Height Chart and the BMI Chart. This is just a realistic way to
    see yourself. It's not just someone's opinion.

    Below you'll find an on-line BMI calculator - check it out!!


      
    Height:   feet
      inches
    		  Weight:        pounds
    Your BMI is: 


    Now look at the charts for your gender to figure out where you are. But remember that no matter where you are on the chart, the advice is still the same:

  • Eat at least the minimum number of Pyramid servings from each group, every day.
  • Don't use fad diets to lose weight.
  • Be physically active every day.
  • Talk with your family and a doctor about your growth pattern.

    • Again, the BMI does not measure bone, fat, or muscle. Since teen's bodies are changing, it is not clear if some teens may be at risk of being overweight or are at an appropriate weight. Making food and physical activity choices for a healthy lifestyle is what's important for you.


    If you would like to download a copy (.pdf file) of the yourSELF magazine, click here!