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Clinical tracking of severely obese children: a new growth chart

Alka K Gulati1, David W Kaplan, Stephen R Daniels

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, and Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA. gulatialka@yahoo.com

Pediatrics
|November 7, 2012
PubMed

Insights

New growth charts were developed to accurately track body mass index (BMI) in severely obese children. These charts, defining BMI as a "percentage of the 95th percentile," aid in subgrouping and monitoring treatment outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Obesity Research

Background:

  • Current 2000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth charts have limitations in accurately displaying body mass index (BMI) percentiles above the 97th percentile.
  • This limitation hinders the precise assessment and tracking of severe obesity in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and introduce novel growth charts for accurately visualizing and tracking BMI in severely obese children.
  • To provide clinicians with a tool to better define subgroups of severe obesity and monitor treatment efficacy.

Main Methods:

  • Creation of new pediatric growth charts at Children's Hospital Colorado.
  • These charts utilize a "percentage of the 95th percentile" metric for BMI to extend the range of accurate measurement.
  • Implementation for clinical use in tracking severely obese children.

Main Results:

  • The new growth charts enable accurate visualization of BMI values beyond the 97th percentile.
  • The "percentage of the 95th percentile" metric allows for finer distinctions within severe obesity categories.
  • Potential for improved monitoring of trends and treatment outcomes in pediatric severe obesity.

Conclusions:

  • The developed growth charts offer a significant improvement over existing CDC charts for managing severe pediatric obesity.
  • This tool has the potential to enhance clinical decision-making, subgroup identification, and treatment evaluation for obese children.
  • Further adoption may lead to better understanding and management of severe obesity in children.

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