Recommendations for the use of body mass index for the classification of overweight and obese children and adolescents
Abrantes, M.Militão.; Lamounier, J.Alves.; Colosimo, E.Antônio.
Food and Nutrition Bulletin 23(3): 262-266
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0379-5721 PMID: 12362589 DOI: 10.1177/156482650202300305Document Number: 266038
Brazilian national data were used to compare body mass index (BMI) cutoff values, which are based on statistical criteria of continuity to adult cutoff values, and those that are recommended by the WHO. According to the cutoff points proposed by each author, 5736 children and adolescents were classified as of normal weight, overweight, or obese. These classifications were compared by 3x3 tables, and a kappa index and a confidence interval were calculated. The good concordance ( kappa =0.82) between the two cutoff values supports the hypothesis that studies on the prevalence of childhood obesity and overweight based on these two different methods can be compared. However, some differences in classification can arise when these methods are used to classify individuals. Further studies to evaluate morbidity and mortality and the classification of obesity in children and adolescents are necessary.