Obesity in children

Body mass index (BMI) percentiles based on age and sex

The following criteria may be used in children >2 years of age based on BMI percentiles for specific age and sex:[69]Barlow SE. Expert Committee recommendations regarding the prevention, assessment, and treatment of child and adolescent overweight and obesity: summary report. Pediatrics. 2007 Dec;120(suppl 4):S164-92. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18055651?tool=bestpractice.com

• Underweight: <5th percentile

• Normal weight: 5th to 84th percentile

• Overweight: 85th to 94th percentile

• Obesity: ≥95th percentile

For children aged <2 years, BMI normative values are not available. Weight-for-height values above the 95th percentile in this age group can be categorised as overweight.[7]Roy SM, Spivack JG, Faith MS, et al. Infant BMI or weight-for-length and obesity risk in early childhood. Pediatrics. 2016 May;137(5):e20153492. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/27244803 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27244803?tool=bestpractice.com The World Health Organization 2006 growth standard is recommended in many countries for children aged 0-5 years, and for children aged 0-2 years in the US. WHO: Child growth standards Opens in new window