Obesity

Obesity and overweight are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. In adults, obesity and overweight are commonly measured using body mass index (BMI), which is an index of weight-for-height. BMI is defined as a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of his or her height in metres. While there have been variations over time and between countries and organisations in how obesity and overweight are measured in children, there is a growing consensus that BMI measurements, which are gender and age specific, are an appropriate measurement.

For example, to measure obesity and overweight in children the World Health Organisation (WHO) has developed Child Growth Standards for children ages 0–5 years and Growth Reference Median Measurements for children aged ...

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