| Notes: |
Data are for 2007.
In children and teens, body mass index is used to assess underweight, overweight, and risk for overweight. Children's body fatness changes over the years as they grow. Also, girls and boys differ in their body fatness as they mature. This is why BMI for children, also referred to as BMI-for-age, is gender and age specific. (Centers for Disease Control, 2005). For more information, including how BMI-for-age is calculated for children and teens, visit http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/childrens_bmi/about_childrens_bmi.html BMI-for-age calculated from the NSCH 2007 is based on parent-reported height and weight of children and were not independently measured. In 2003, these height and weight estimates were compared to national estimates from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which is based on independent measurement. This comparison revealed that, for children under 10 years of age, height was generally underreported and weight was generally overreported. Therefore, BMI for children under 10 years of age has not been included as part of this indicator. Additionally, calculation of BMI-for-age is usually based on the age of the child in months. Because age was only reported in years for this survey, children were assumed to be at the midpoint of the age-year for purposes of calculating BMI-for-age. |
| Definitions: |
Overweight or Obese: BMI at or above the 85th percentile of the CDC growth charts for age and gender.
BMI-for-age: Body Mass Index for children and teens, also called BMI-for-age, is the number calculated from a child''s weight and height. BMI ranges for children and teens take into account normal differences in body fat between boys and girls and differences in body fat at various ages. It provides a reliable indicator of body fatness and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. |
