Study: Body Mass Index Remains a Valuable Screening Tool for Youth Despite Limitations

Body Mass Index (BMI) remains a very good screening tool for measuring body fat in youth, despite its limitations as a measurement that relies solely on weight and height, according to a study, “Screening Accuracy of BMI for Adiposity Among 8- to 19-year-olds.” The study, published in the July Pediatrics (published online June 3), reviewed data from 6,923 youth in the National Health and Nutrition Survey from 2011 through 2018. While long used as a screening tool, the body mass index has drawn criticism for not being able to distinguish between fat and lean mass. Study participants were measured by DXA, or dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, to gauge the ability of body mass index to predict DXA-calculated adiposity and lean mass. Researchers found participants with a high body mass index were 29 times more likely to have a high fat mass index than those with lower body mass index. A high body mass index in childhood and adolescence is associated with adverse levels of cardiovascular disease risk factors, the initial stages of atherosclerosis, and a high body mass index in adulthood. The authors conclude the findings provide further evidence of the utility of body mass index in research and clinical care. 

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 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.