Abstract
Introduction: Body Mass Index (BMI) is a valuable, regularly used instrument in pediatric practice to determine body fat. BMI tables used internationally are based on percentiles (Pc) for age and sex. The increase in the worldwide prevalence of obesity shows a displacement of children and adolescents towards the higher Pc, with an increase in the concentration of the population above Pc 50. Objective: To determine the BMI distribution of the study sample using the Rolland Cachera BMI Pc. Method: BMI was calculated for a sample of children and adolescents (age range 10 - 19.9 yrs) of all the regions of the country who came to the pediatric visit for any given reason. Pediatricians of the Argentine Society of Pediatrics measured, weighed and calculated the BMI of a randomized sample of participants taken from private and public pediatric offices. The total sample was of 1971 cases (1231 females and 740 males). Relevant sociodemographic data pertaining to the participants and their families were gathered. Results: 65% of the children and adolescents of the sample were above Pc50; 26.5% was overweight or obese ( Pc90); 1.4% of the population was under PC 3. The distribution was similar at urban and rural areas, and there were no differences between public and private consultation. 62.5% of the girls and 70.4% of the boys were above PC 50, and the prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher in males than in females (30.5% vs 24.1%; p= 0.0019). There were significantly more parents who reported to be obese among children grouped in the higher percentile. Conclusion: Using BMI we observed a higher concentration of our population in the higher percentiles. The clinical concern is centered in the rapidly increasing prevalence of overweight and obese children.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Berner, E., Bay, L., Herscovici, C. et al. BMI Distribution in a Population of Argentine Children and Adolescents Who Visit the Pediatrician. Pediatr Res 53, 871 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200305000-00043
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200305000-00043