Cutoff values of body mass index for severe obesity in Korean children and adolescents: the 99th percentile versus 120% of the 95th percentile.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Several definitions for severe obesity have been used, primarily the 99th percentile of the body mass index (BMI) and 120% of the 95th BMI percentile. This study aimed to establish a standardized definition for severe obesity in children and adolescents in Korea.

Methods

The 99th BMI percentile line and 120% of the 95th BMI percentile line were constructed using 2017 Korean National Growth Charts. To compare these 2 cutoff points for severe obesity, we included 9,984 individuals (5,289 males and 4,695 females) aged 10-18 years with anthropometric data available from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2018.

Results

Although 120% of the 95th percentile of BMI is widely used as a definition of severe obesity, the 99th percentile is a

SUBMITTER: Choe J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10329941 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature