BMI centile as an indicator of degree of obesity in childhood.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate body mass index (BMI centile) as an indicator of degree of obesity in childhood. DESIGN: Random. SETTING: Obese and nonobese healthy children were recruited in the Verona University Department of Pediatrics and Division of Pediatrics of the Verona City Hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 70 males aged 9.7 +/- 2.75 years and 55 females aged 9.9 +/- 3 years. Percentage fat mass was estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis using Kushner's equation, and Italian BMI charts (A. Luciano et al. 1997) were used to calculate the BMI centile (BMI > 90 degrees in 76 subjects and BMI < 90 degrees in 59 subjects). RESULTS: Linear regression analysis and correlations between percentage fat mass and BMI centile were significant in males (P = 0.000, r = 0.6) and females (P = 0.000, r = 0.7) in both obese and nonobese subjects. CONCLUSIONS: BMI is a reliable, easy-to-use indicator of degree of obesity in childhood. Pediatricians should be encouraged to use BMI centiles to assess childhood obesity and particularly the onset of overweight, its evolution and its response to different types of management.