Introduction
Several studies on obesity show that there is heightened risk for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, many kinds of cancer, and a variety of other diseases for individuals who have excess weight. Therefore, it is in the interest of public health that steps are taken to lower the prevalence of obesity (Schneider, 2006). In December 2004, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended screening for obesity; so that individuals with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or more than 30 (obese individuals) could be identified for counselling and behavioral interventions to reduce their weight (Krisberg, 2004).
Since BMI in its natural course increases with advance in age and also on the basis of pubertal stages and gender, BMI percentiles have been developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2000, for defining degrees of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence. The 85th percentile on these standard charts of the CDC defines children and adolescents being at risk for overweight correspond with a BMI of approximately 25, which is the adult definition of overweight. The 95th percentile on these standard charts of the CDC defines children and adolescents being at risk for overweight correspond with a BMI of approximately 30, which is the adult definition of overweight (Hoppin, 2004).
Screening for Obesity
Case 1: Sam
Date of birth (DOB) 8/02/1995
Date of visit (DOV) 8/11/2002
Weight = 26.8kg
Height = 122cm
BMI = [weight in kg/ (height in cm] X 10,000
Sam’s BMI = [26.8/ (122)2] X 10.000
Sam’s BMI = 18.0
Interpretation: the BMI falls between the 50th and the 75th percentiles, which means that Sam is not overweight or undernourished. He has an appropriate weight for his age and stature (2 to 20 years: Boys Stature-for-age and Weight-for-age percentiles).
Case 2: Juanita
Date of birth (DOB) 2/10/1997
Date of visit (DOV) 2/06/2003
Weight = 20.4kg
Height = 110cm
BMI = [weight in kg/ (height in cm] X 10,000
Juanita’s BMI = [20.4/ (110)2] X 10,000
Juanita’s BMI = 16.9
Interpretation: the BMI falls between the 50th and the 75th percentiles, which means that Juanita is not overweight or undernourished. She has an appropriate weight for her age and stature (2 to 20 years: Girls Stature-for-age and Weight-for-age percentiles).
Case 3: Akita
Date of birth (DOB) 5/11/2001
Date of visit (DOV) 1/05/2004
Weight = 16.3kg
Height = 98cm
BMI = [weight in kg/ (height in cm] X 10,000
Akita’s BMI = [16.3/ (98)2] X 10,000
Akita’s BMI = 17
Interpretation: the BMI falls between the above the 95th percentiles, which means that Akita is overweight. She does not have an appropriate weight for her age and stature (2 to 20 years: Girls Stature-for-age and Weight-for-age percentiles).
Case 4: Jermain
Date of birth (DOB) 4/01/2001
Date of visit (DOV) 10/12/2004
Weight = 10.9
Height = 88cm
BMI = [weight in kg/ (height in cm] X 10,000
Jermain’s BMI = [10.9/ (88)2] X 10,000
Jermain’s BMI = 14.1
Interpretation: the BMI falls below the 5th percentile, which means that Jermain is underweight. He does not have an appropriate weight for his age and stature (2 to 20 years: Boys Stature-for-age and Weight-for-age percentiles).
Case5: Ted
Date of birth (DOB) 11/24/1999
Date of visit (DOV) 8/12/2004
Weight = 20.2kg
Height = 122cm
BMI = [weight in kg/ (height in cm] X 10,000
Ted’s BMI = [20.2/ (115)2] X 10.000
Ted’s BMI = 15.3
Interpretation: the BMI falls between the 75th and the 85th percentiles, which means that Ted is not overweight or undernourished. He has an appropriate weight for his age and stature (2 to 20 years: Boys Stature-for-age and Weight-for-age percentiles).
Case6: Pedro
Date of birth (DOB) 6/19/1992
Date of visit (DOV) 3/26/2001
Weight = 23.4kg
Height = 126cm
BMI = [weight in kg/ (height in cm] X 10,000
Pedro’s BMI = [20.2/ (115)2] X 10.000
Pedro’s BMI = 14.7
Interpretation: the BMI falls between the 5th and the 10th percentiles, which means that Pedro is not overweight or undernourished. He has an appropriate weight for his age and stature (2 to 20 years: Boys Stature-for-age and Weight-for-age percentiles)
Literary References
Hoppin, A. G. (2004). Assessment and Management of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity. Web.
Krisberg, K. (2004). Task Force Recommends Obesity Screening for Adults. The Nation’s Health, 34(1). Web.
Schneider, M. (2006). Introduction to Public Health. Second Edition. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
2 to 20 years: Boys Stature-for-age and Weight-for-age percentiles. Web.
2 to 20 years: Girls Stature-for-age and Weight-for-age percentiles. Web.