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Definition

Weight (body mass) relative to height used to assess the extent of weight excess in children and adolescents.

Components

Data Element

Comments

Context:

Public health and health care:

Body Mass Index (BMI) is used as an indicator of underweight, normal or healthy weight and overweight and obesity in adults and overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. In population based surveys, BMI may be used:

  • to indicate the prevalence of thinness and overweight and their sociodemographic distribution (problem identification)
  • to evaluate health promotion and disease prevention programs (assessment of interventions)
  • to monitor progress towards National public health policy
  • to ascertain determinants and consequences of thinness and overweight
  • in nutrition and physical activity surveillance and long-term planning.

References

Related content

Relation Count
Data Elements implementing this Data Element Concept 1