Fitness assessments for teenagers
I am starting to work with a 16 yr. old girl who is obese. Other than the BMI for age growth chart, could you use the bio electrical impedance method for figuring out her fat %. I have worked with children and teens in the group fitness setting (fitness classes) but never really worked with one as a personal trainer. Any experienced advice is appreciated as far as fitness assessments.
Hello Mariu Garcia,
There is a good reason there are not more formal assessments for children: they are constantly growing and changing, inside and out, physically as well as psychologically. How can we possibly compare results in a situation like this? If you pay close attention, children grow up, then out, then up, then out…
I would go by the growth chart and work on being healthy. You and your client will see improvements in composition and physical ability as you keep track of weight, height and exercises.
That’s as far as I would go with assessments for now. Since this is a minor, do you have the parents’/guardians’ consent? Maybe the parents and doctor can help you more with what is or is not acceptable at this time.
Take care.