Tables of percentile based on body mass index for children and adolescents in Portugal and their application in the study of obesity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v18i3.9876Keywords:
Children, Adolescents, Obesity, Weight, Height, Percentile ChartsAbstract
Objective: To draw percentile charts, based in the Body Mass Index (BMI), for the Portuguese population. Population: Children and adolescents of three general practice patients lists. Methods: Observational, open, study of data recorded in the patients files - weight (in kg) and height (m) for calculation of BMI of all individuals from birth to 17 years old. Scales and measurement tapes adapted to age were always used. Results: 6764 measurement units were studied, 3481 (51.5%) in males, from a sample of 540 boys and 522 girls. No statistically significant differences were found for gender and age, as well as for weight, height and BMI when compared between genders. Conclusions: Since no differences between genders were found, these charts allow the study of the nutritional status and of obesity based in the calculation of BMI. Comparison with other charts, however, showed differences between studies. Since obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, its identification by the family doctor is of the utmost importance. These charts may be a simple, objective way of assessment of the nutritional status and of the presence of obesity in children and adolescents.Downloads
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