Weight/height2.88 as a screening test for obesity or thinness in schoolage children

We wished to determine a weight for height measure for use as a simple screening test throughout the schoolage years for obesity or thinness similar to the body mass index in adults but not correlated with either height or age. Single measurements of height, weight, pubertal stage and two site skinfold thickness were collected on 979 healthy London schoolchildren (559 male) aged 4.6-18.8 years from 11 schools by one anthropometrist. Weight/height2.88 was uncorrelated with height or age in either sex. The median (95% confidence interval of the median) value for boys (12.74, 12.58-12.90) did not vary within this age group, height or pubertal stage. In girls the median value 12.46 (12.20-12.61) was valid for all girls less than breast stage 4 but rose sharply to 13.64 (13.21-14.06) thereafter. Percentile charts and nomograms are provided. Conclusion Weight/height2.88 may be a simple screening test for obesity or thinness throughout the schooling years and that its independence of age and height greatly simplifies longitudinal assessment.