Cross-Sectional Growth References and Implications for the Development of An International Growth Standard for School-Aged Children and Adolescents

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Citation

Seidell, Jacob C.; Doak, Colleen M.; de Munter, Jeroen S.L.; Kuijper, Lothar D.J.; & Zonneveld, Cor (2006). Cross-Sectional Growth References and Implications for the Development of An International Growth Standard for School-Aged Children and Adolescents. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 27, 189-98.

Abstract

Normative data are needed to create a reference that indicates optimal development of weight in relation to height and age, particularly in the face of the unfolding obesity epidemic. The body-mass index (BMI) has some serious limitations: it is a relatively poor predictor of current and future fatness. Currently, however, there are few available alternatives, with the possible exception of waist circumference or skinfolds. The use of cross-sectional references to construct a BMI-reference curve is problematic when there are period and cohort effects. Ideally, a reference would be based on longitudinal data in populations with little underweight, overweight, and obesity.

In the meantime cross-sectional data in appropriate populations could be used to construct BMI percentiles linking BMI values at age 5 to those at age 18 (or 21) that would correspond with adult BMI values reflecting optimal health (e.g., that would correspond to adult BMI values between 21 and 23 kg/m2).

URL

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nsinf/fnb/2006/00000027/A00504s5/art00003

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2006

Journal Title

Food and Nutrition Bulletin

Author(s)

Seidell, Jacob C.
Doak, Colleen M.
de Munter, Jeroen S.L.
Kuijper, Lothar D.J.
Zonneveld, Cor