Applying the WHO instead of CDC growth charts may double obesity rates

Abstract

ABSTRACT.53 for weight, height and BMI z-scores respectively, all significantly non-zero. When comparing both growth charts, Canadian children had significantly different weight and BMI z-scores (p < 0.0001) with WHO growth charts whereas height z-score did not differ. Obesity rates (BMI z-score > 95th percentile) doubled from 8.6% to 16.0%. A significant age dependency was observed with higher WHO (2007) weight z-scores (>7 years) and higher BMI z-scores (7 to 13 years) and no significant difference was observed for height z-scores across all age groups. Gender differences were observed for weight z-scores (>9 years) and BMI (males: 9 -11 years, p = 0.0118; 11 -13 years, p = 0.0069) whereas no significant difference was found in height z-scores across all age groups. Conclusion: Our results reveal substantial differences between both reference populations and thus interpretation needs be done with caution, especially when labelling results as abnormal.

Evaluating routine pediatric growth measurement as a screening tool for overweight and obese status

“…33 In one Canadian study, the rate of obesity among the children was determined to be twice as high when their weight was evaluated using the WHO charts. 34 Regardless of which tools are used, accuracy in measurement is required for effective screening. Even very small inaccuracies can lead to substantial differences in classification, particularly in young children and infants.…”

Évaluer la mesure systématique de la croissance pédiatrique comme outil de dépistage du surpoids et de l’obésité

“…(qui reflètent un échantillonnage plus lourd et moins grand) 33 . Une étude canadienne a déterminé que le taux d'obésité chez les enfants était 2 fois plus élevé lorsque le poids était mesuré au moyen des courbes de l'OMS 34 .…”