Different criteria for body mass index classification for excess weight screening in children aged six to ten years

• Published in: Revista Paulista de Pediatria 2023, Vol.42
• Main Authors: Freitas, Alex Sander, Silveira, Marise Fagundes, Haikal, Desirée Sant Ana, Caldeira, Antônio Prates, Rodrigues, Vinícius Dias, Monteiro-Júnior, Renato Sobral
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Nutritional status; Obesity; Original; Overweight; Pediatric obesity
• ISSN: 0103-0582; 1984-0462
• DOI: 10.1590/1984-0462/2024/42/2022132

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the agreement between body mass index (BMI) parameters applied to children aged six to ten years in the city of Montes Claros (MG), Brazil with national and international criteria, also calculating their sensitivity and specificity regarding excess weight screening. Methods: A sample comprising 4151 children aged six to ten years was assessed, with height and body mass determined for BMI calculation. The obtained values were classified according to cutoff points established by the World Health Organization (WHO), International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Conde & Monteiro, and a recent local proposal. The agreement index between the mentioned criteria was calculated and thereafter the sensitivity and specificity. Results: The local proposal was proven to be highly consistent in most combinations, especially concerning the excess weight criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO) (k=0.895). Regarding excess weight, the local proposal presented sensitivity and specificity values of 0.8680 and 0.9956, respectively, indicating high BMI discrimination power. Conclusions: The locally applied BMI parameters for children aged six to ten years represent a valid, highly viable and practical proposal for excess weight screening in this population group, improving professional decision-making in their follow-up. RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a concordância dos parâmetros de índice de massa corporal (IMC) para crianças com idade de seis a dez anos da cidade de Montes Claros/MG com os demais critérios de abrangência nacional e internacional, bem como sua sensibilidade e especificidade no rastreio do excesso de peso. Métodos: Foi utilizada uma amostra de 4.151 crianças de seis a dez anos, sendo mensuradas estatura e massa corporal para a determinação do IMC. Os valores obtidos foram classificados de acordo com os pontos de corte da World Health Organization (WHO), International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Conde & Monteiro e uma recente proposta local. Calculou-se o índice de concordância entre os critérios mencionados e, em seguida, a sensibilidade e a especificidade. Resultados: A proposta local mostrou-se altamente concordante na maioria das combinações, principalmente para o excesso de peso com a WHO (k=0,895). Com relação ao excesso de peso, a proposta local apresentou valores de 0,8680 e 0,9956 para a sensibilidade e especificidade respect