In an effort to combat obesity, the American Academy of Pediatrics is now recommending that all pediatricians measure a patient's body mass index annually, no matter if the child appears thin or chubby.
"Body mass index is a calculated measurement, taking into account the relationship between weight and height," explained Dr. Laura Finkelstein, a pediatrician at the University of Maryland Hospital for Children. "It can identify children who are obese and also those children who fail to thrive."
The normal BMI in children changes from year to year and boys and girls differ when it comes to BMI. New growth charts recommended for use along with the calculated BMI reflect those changes, giving pediatricians a valuable new tool.
This recommendation comes at a time when about 15 percent of children are considered obese.
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