In BMI-for-age assessments, a child at or above the 95th percentile is considered what?

In BMI-for-age assessments, a child at or above the 95th percentile is considered what?

• A. Underweight
• B. Normal weight
• C. Overweight
• D. Obese

Answer: (C)

In pediatric BMI-for-age screening, percentiles show how a child’s BMI compares with peers of the same age and sex. A BMI at or above the 95th percentile falls into the obesity range. This is because the 85th–94th percentile is considered overweight, while 95th percentile and higher indicates obesity. So, if a child’s BMI is at the 95th percentile or higher, they would be categorized as obese. For reference, underweight is below the 5th percentile, normal weight is roughly 5th to below the 85th percentile, overweight is 85th to below the 95th percentile, and obesity is 95th percentile or higher.

In pediatric BMI-for-age screening, percentiles show how a child’s BMI compares with peers of the same age and sex. A BMI at or above the 95th percentile falls into the obesity range. This is because the 85th–94th percentile is considered overweight, while 95th percentile and higher indicates obesity. So, if a child’s BMI is at the 95th percentile or higher, they would be categorized as obese. For reference, underweight is below the 5th percentile, normal weight is roughly 5th to below the 85th percentile, overweight is 85th to below the 95th percentile, and obesity is 95th percentile or higher.