Definition of Obesity in individuals 0-18 years of age.
Ages 0–2 years: Obesity is defined based on the weight-for-length ratio
Ages 2–18 years: Obesity is defined based on age and either BMI
< 2 years of age
–Overweight = weight-for-length ratio > 95th percentile for their sex.
-The term obese is not used for children < 2 years of age.
2– 18 years of age
-Underweight = BMI below the 5th percentile,
-Healthy weight = BMI between the 5th and 85th percentile,
-Overweight = BMI between the 85th and 94th percentile,
-Obese = BMI ≥ 95th percentile.
-The term morbid obesity is currently not used in the pediatric population.
Reference / Further Reading
Defining Childhood Obesity. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/defining.html, Last Accessed 04/1/2018
Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: Basics about childhood obesity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012.
Prevention and Management of Obesity for Children and Adolescents. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement, 2013.