DefinePK

Abstract

Introduction


Obesity is an excessive accumulation of fat in the body. It can be assessed by various ways including Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, life insurance tables, CT / MRI and absorptiometry. Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most widely accepted means of assessing obesity (weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters). The relationship of BMI to total body and visceral fat, and consequent complications varies between ethnic groups.1 Asian population particularly those from South East Asia have more fat and co-morbidities for any given BMI, resulting in different suggested BMI cut-off points.2 Adult BMI cut offs (Table 1) cannot be used in children and adolescents to assess obesity as BMI varies throughout childhood. In children the BMI is higher in 2nd year of life and then drops at ages 4-7 years rising slowly to adult values. BMI for age charts3 can be used in clinical practice to assess obesity in children. According to these charts a child is overweight having a BMI between 85th - 95th percentiles and obese above 95th centiles. Central obesity particularly visceral fat is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome. Waist circumference cut-offs have been internationally accepted for adults (Table 2) but there are no internationally accepted criteria for waist circumference in children.