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Body Mass Index (BMI) is an anthropometric index of weight and height
(stature) that is defined as body weight in kilograms divided by height in
meters squared. BMI is the commonly accepted index for classifying
adiposity in adults and it is recommended for use with children and
adolescents.
Like weight-for-height, BMI is a screening tool used to identify
individuals who are underweight or overweight. BMI is not a diagnostic
tool. For example, a child who is relatively heavy may have a high BMI for
his or her age or high weight-for-stature. To determine whether the child
has excess fat, further assessment needed might include triceps skinfold
measurements. To determine a counseling strategy, assessments of diet,
health, and physical activity are needed.
BMI is gender specific and age specific for children. BMI-for-age is
the measure used for ages 2 to 20 years since BMI changes substantially as
children get older. Whereas for adults, BMI is neither age nor gender
specific and nutritional status is defined by fixed cut points.
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