Citation

Seidell, Jacob C.; Doak, Colleen M.; de Munter, Jeroen S. L.; Kuijper, Lothar D. J.; & Zonneveld, Cor (2006). Cross-sectional growth references and implications for the development of an international growth standard for school-aged children and adolescents. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 27(4 Suppl Growth Standard), S189-198.

Abstract

Normative data are needed to create a reference that indicates optimal development of weight in relation to height and age, particularly in the face of the unfolding obesity epidemic. The body-mass index (BMI) has some serious limitations: it is a relatively poor predictor of current and future fatness. Currently, however, there are few available alternatives, with the possible exception of waist circumference or skinfolds. The use of cross-sectional references to construct a BMI-reference curve is problematic when there are period and cohort effects. Ideally, a reference would be based on longitudinal data in populations with little underweight, overweight, and obesity. In the meantime cross-sectional data in appropriate populations could be used to construct BMI percentiles linking BMI values at age 5 to those at age 18 (or 21) that would correspond with adult BMI values reflecting optimal health (e.g., that would correspond to adult BMI values between 21 and 23 kg/m2).

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2006

Journal Title

Food and Nutrition Bulletin

Author(s)

Seidell, Jacob C.
Doak, Colleen M.
de Munter, Jeroen S. L.
Kuijper, Lothar D. J.
Zonneveld, Cor