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 ArticleYear Published
2006Journal Title
Food and Nutrition BulletinAuthor(s)
Seidell, Jacob C.Doak, Colleen M.
de Munter, Jeroen S. L.
Kuijper, Lothar D. J.
Zonneveld, Cor