Student Nutrition

What is BMI?

You may have heard the term Body Mass Index, or BMI, as it relates to weight loss or achieving a healthy weight.

This is a tool that helps you measure the amount of body fat you have based on your height and weight. This can be an indicator for your risk of developing health conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, breathing problems, type 2 diabetes and other health problems.

There are limitations to BMI. For example, BMI does not take into account the fact that  athletes, who have more muscle than the average person, can have a high BMI but not be at risk for developing the disease.

Want to calculate your BMI?

Visit the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute website.

Nutrition Facts

Healthy eating is associated with reduced risk for many diseases, including several of the leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes.1

Healthy eating in childhood and adolescence is important for proper growth and development and can prevent health problems such as obesity, dental caries, iron deficiency, and osteoporosis.1,2

Visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website for more information.

Staying Healthy

Good nutrition and physical activity are two key ingredients in developing a healthy lifestyle for adults and children alike.  Your body needs a variety of nutrients that can only be found in a varied diets that are rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and low-fat protein sources.  When you are well nourished, it's easier for you to learn and stay focused.  Additionally, your body will feel better if you are physically active and find ways to move and exercise daily.

Guidelines to a healthy lifestyle include:

  • Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
  • Choose low-fat sources of protein (including beans and legumes).
  • Control portion sizes.
  • Drink water instead of sugary beverages.
  • Compare sodium in foods and select those which are the lowest.
  • Be active for at least 60 minutes, 5 days a week for ages 6 to 18 years.
  • Say, "No" to tobacco and drugs.

Find out how to take care of your body, eat healthy, and stay fit!

Visit Kids Health

Child Nutrition and Health Lifecycle

Find resources here to help guide development of nutrition knowledge and skills for children.

Visit the USDA Food and Nutrition Information Center website.