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- Body mass index (BMI) is calculated as follows:
- BMI = (Weight in kg)/(Height in m)2
- BMI is an effective screening tool, not a diagnostic one.
- For children, BMI is age and gender specific.
- Children who are at the 85th to 95th percentiles are considered overweight.
- Children who are at or above the 95th percentile are considered obese.
- Children who are below the 5th percentile are considered underweight.
- BMI charts: www.cdc.gov/growthcharts or www.accesspediatrics.com
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Standard growth charts are available at www.cdc.gov/growthcharts.
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Charts for Ages 0 to 36 Months
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Charts for Ages 2 to 20 Years
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Specialized Growth Charts
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- Down Syndrome Growth Chart: Pediatrics 1978;61:564.
- Cerebral Palsy Growth Chart: J Am Diet Assoc 1996;96:680.
- Turner Syndrome Stature Chart: Arch Dis Child 1985;60;932.
- Achondroplasia Growth Chart: J Pediatr 1978;93:435.
- Noonan Syndrome Growth Chart: Clin Genet 1986;30:150.
- Williams Syndrome Growth Chart: Pediatrics 1988;113:318.
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- These criteria are appropriate for children ages 1 to 3 years.
- Changes in weight may be an indicator of acute malnutrition.
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