OBJECTIVE: Although the body mass index (BMI, mass index, kg/m2) is widely used as a surrogate measure of adiposity, it is moderately associated (r approximately 0.3) with height among children. We examined whether the resulting preferential classification of taller children as overweight is appropriate. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analyses of children (ages, 3-17 y) examined the relation of height to adiposity (as assessed by BMI and skinfold thicknesses) and fasting levels of insulin. Longitudinal analyses examined the relation of childhood height and weight-height indices to adult (mean age, 25 y) levels of adiposity and fasting insulin. SUBJECTS: Children (n=11,406) and adults (n=2911) who had participated in the Bogalusa Heart Study. MEASUREMENTS: We constructed three weight-height indices: BMI, W/H3, and W/Hp. The triceps and subscapular skinfolds, as well as fasting levels of insulin, were also measured. RESULTS: The classification of children as overweight (BMI-for-age > or =95th percentile) varied markedly by height, with a 10-fold difference in the prevalence of overweight across quintiles of height between the ages of 3 and 10 y. Childhood height, however, was also related to skinfold thicknesses and insulin levels, and all associations were modified in a similar manner by age. Furthermore, childhood height was related to adult adiposity, and of the three childhood weight-height indices, BMI showed the strongest associations with adult adiposity. CONCLUSIONS: Because BMI reflects the positive association between height and adiposity among children, it is a better weight-height index than is either W/H3 or W/Hp.
OBJECTIVE: Although the body mass index (BMI, mass index, kg/m2) is widely used as a surrogate measure of adiposity, it is moderately associated (r approximately 0.3) with height among children. We examined whether the resulting preferential classification of taller children as overweight is appropriate. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analyses of children (ages, 3-17 y) examined the relation of height to adiposity (as assessed by BMI and skinfold thicknesses) and fasting levels of insulin. Longitudinal analyses examined the relation of childhood height and weight-height indices to adult (mean age, 25 y) levels of adiposity and fasting insulin. SUBJECTS:Children (n=11,406) and adults (n=2911) who had participated in the Bogalusa Heart Study. MEASUREMENTS: We constructed three weight-height indices: BMI, W/H3, and W/Hp. The triceps and subscapular skinfolds, as well as fasting levels of insulin, were also measured. RESULTS: The classification of children as overweight (BMI-for-age > or =95th percentile) varied markedly by height, with a 10-fold difference in the prevalence of overweight across quintiles of height between the ages of 3 and 10 y. Childhood height, however, was also related to skinfold thicknesses and insulin levels, and all associations were modified in a similar manner by age. Furthermore, childhood height was related to adult adiposity, and of the three childhood weight-height indices, BMI showed the strongest associations with adult adiposity. CONCLUSIONS: Because BMI reflects the positive association between height and adiposity among children, it is a better weight-height index than is either W/H3 or W/Hp.
Authors: Marian Tanofsky-Kraff; Lien Goossens; Kamryn T Eddy; Rebecca Ringham; Andrea Goldschmidt; Susan Z Yanovski; Caroline Braet; Marsha D Marcus; Denise E Wilfley; Cara Olsen; Jack A Yanovski Journal: J Consult Clin Psychol Date: 2007-12
Authors: E T M Leermakers; J F Felix; N S Erler; A Ćerimagić; A I Wijtzes; A Hofman; H Raat; H A Moll; F Rivadeneira; V W V Jaddoe; O H Franco; J C Kiefte-de Jong Journal: Eur J Clin Nutr Date: 2015-02-04 Impact factor: 4.016
Authors: Angela D Liese; Jamie L Crandell; Janet A Tooze; Victor Kipnis; Ronny Bell; Sarah C Couch; Dana Dabelea; Tessa L Crume; Elizabeth J Mayer-Davis Journal: Br J Nutr Date: 2015-07-16 Impact factor: 3.718
Authors: Paul Muntner; Asghar Arshad; Stephen A Morse; Dharmendrakumar A Patel; Pronabesh D Manapatra; Efrain Reisin; Erwin A Aguilar; Wei Chen; Sathanur Srinivasan; Gerald S Berenson Journal: BMC Nephrol Date: 2009-12-02 Impact factor: 2.388