Obesity in adolescents

[Magaret]

Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than the 95th percentile for age and gender.

Although genetics and some disorders cause obesity, most adolescent obesity results from a lack of physical activity and consuming more calories than needed for activity level.
The diagnosis is based on a BMI at or over the 95th percentile for age and gender.
Eating a nutritious diet and increasing exercise help treat obesity.

Obesity is defined by the body mass index (BMI). BMI is weight (in kilograms) divided by height (in meters) squared. Adolescents whose BMI is in the top 5% for their age and gender are considered obese. Being in the top 5% means their BMI is higher than 95% of their peers (at or over the 95th percentile).
Obesity is twice as common among adolescents as it was 30 years ago. Although most of the complications of obesity occur in adulthood, obese adolescents are more likely than their peers to have high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Although fewer than one third of obese adults were obese as adolescents, most obese adolescents remain obese in adulthood.
(See also Introduction to Problems in Adolescents.)