Body mass index, or BMI, is the most common tool used to describe overweight and obesity in children. But BMI does not adequately describe regional distribution of fat, such as in the upper body, which is a better predictor of some obesity-related complications such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease.

In a study, “Neck Circumference as a Screening Measure for Identifying Children With High Body Mass Index,” published in the August print issue of Pediatrics (published online July 5), researchers tested the usefulness of measuring neck circumference to identify children with high BMI. Researchers took measurements of more than 1,100 children aged 6 to 18 years. They found neck circumference correctly identified a high proportion of young children and adolescents who were overweight or obese. Study authors suggest neck circumference is a simple technique that could be used to screen for overweight and obesity in children. The authors include age-related thresholds for neck circumferences that indicate high BMI.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org.