A child with BMI percentile 92 is classified as what weight category?

A child with BMI percentile 92 is classified as what weight category?

• A. Underweight
• B. Overweight
• C. Obese
• D. Healthy weight

Answer: (B)

The main concept is how to interpret BMI percentiles for children. In kids, BMI is evaluated against age- and sex-specific percentiles on growth charts. The categories are defined as: underweight below the 5th percentile, healthy weight from the 5th up to less than the 85th percentile, overweight from the 85th up to less than the 95th percentile, and obesity at the 95th percentile or higher. A BMI percentile of 92 falls in the range between 85 and 95, so it is classified as overweight. This means the child's BMI is higher than about 92% of peers of the same age and sex, but not high enough to meet obesity criteria. If the percentile were 95 or higher, that would be obesity.

The main concept is how to interpret BMI percentiles for children. In kids, BMI is evaluated against age- and sex-specific percentiles on growth charts. The categories are defined as: underweight below the 5th percentile, healthy weight from the 5th up to less than the 85th percentile, overweight from the 85th up to less than the 95th percentile, and obesity at the 95th percentile or higher. A BMI percentile of 92 falls in the range between 85 and 95, so it is classified as overweight. This means the child's BMI is higher than about 92% of peers of the same age and sex, but not high enough to meet obesity criteria. If the percentile were 95 or higher, that would be obesity.