Use of body mass index and body mass index growth charts for assessment of childhood weight status in the United States: a systematic review.

摘要

Childhood obesity has greatly increased in the United States over the previous decades and has become a public health priority. Children at high risk for becoming and who are overweight/obese should be identified early, so that appropriate intervention strategies can be implemented. As monitoring growth is an essential component of well-child care and may help prevent excess weight gain during childhood, it is recommended in pedi-atric guidelines that practitioners regularly assess weight status in children.