BMI tests 'miss' over a quarter of obese children

Conclusion This systematic review and meta-analysis showed using BMI to detect excess body fat in children up to the age of 18 was not perfect. It estimated more than a quarter of children with excess body fat might not be classed as obese using BMI measurements alone. This may mean they don't get the same help and support to achieve a healthy weight as those correctly identified, and so remain at a higher risk of developing a range of weight-related diseases. BMI is known to be a far from perfect measure of body fatness, but is often a useful start, so the main conclusion of the research will be nothing new to many health professionals. However, this study has put a specific figure on the imperfection: more than 25% are incorrectly given the all-clear when their weight may be harming their health. England's current screening of children for excess body fat, the National Child Measurement Programme, uses BMI as its main measure, so this is very relevant to England's youth. The way excess body fatness is assessed in this programme is regularly assessed, and this study may contribute to the evidence base considered at the next review of the methodology. Measuring body fat in children on a large scale is a challenge, and the best way to do this is likely to be balancing accuracy with pragmatism. Some measures of body fat are time consuming to perform and, in the context of a busy school environment, this may be influential. Overall, this study raises a known issue with u...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Obesity Pregnancy/child Source Type: news