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Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report
Published on: May 30, 2025
Recent dynamics suggest selected countries catching up to US obesity
1Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA. popkin@unc.edu
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|November 13, 2009
Summary
Global obesity trends show significant shifts. While US children have lower 95th percentile body mass indexes (BMIs) than Chinese children, Australian and UK women are rapidly increasing their BMIs, nearing those in the United States.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Epidemiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- The United States has historically shown high body mass indexes (BMIs) at upper centiles.
- Comparative international research on BMI distributions is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess global obesity by examining shifts in BMI at the upper distribution ends.
- To compare BMI trends in children and adults across Australia, China, the UK, and the US.
Main Methods:
- Utilized directly measured height and weight data for children (6-18 years) and adults (≥19 years).
- Employed quantile regression analysis to determine mean BMI at the 95th percentile for each age group.
- Analyzed nationally representative surveys to establish overweight and obesity measures.
Main Results:
- Australian and UK women exhibited greater increases in 95th percentile BMI than US women over a shorter period.
- Younger Chinese children showed the most substantial increase in 95th percentile BMI.
- At age 6, Chinese children's mean 95th percentile BMI (24.8) surpassed that of US children by 2.6 BMI units.
Conclusions:
- US children's 95th percentile BMIs are lower compared to those in China.
- Women in Australia and the UK are rapidly approaching the BMI levels observed in US women.
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