Answer :
The 9-year-old male patient with a BMI of 17.9 falls into the 'Normal weight' category, which is appropriate for his age and sex according to the pediatric BMI percentile charts provided by the CDC. Hence, the correct option is D. Normal weight.
To determine if a 9-year-old male patient's BMI of 17.9 is within a healthy range, we must compare it to pediatric BMI percentiles that are specific for age and sex. Unlike in adults, BMI categories for children are defined by percentiles rather than fixed numbers because children's body compositions change as they develop. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a child's BMI is considered to be at a healthy weight if it falls between the 5th and 85th percentiles for their age and sex. A BMI at or above the 85th percentile and less than the 95th percentile is considered overweight, while a BMI at or above the 95th percentile is considered obese.
In this case, the patient's BMI does not exceed the 85th percentile and thus he would fall into the 'Normal weight' category (D). The student should be encouraged to maintain healthy dietary habits and an active lifestyle to continue to support a healthy weight as he grows. Hence, the correct option is D. Normal weight.
