Obesity: an epidemic of the 21st century.
Year: 2005
Type: article
Abstract: Obesity is an excessive accumulation of fat in the body. It can be assessed by various ways including Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, life insurance tables, CT / MRI and absorptiometry. Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most widely accepted means of assessing obe-sity (weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters). The relationship of BMI to total body and viscer-al fat, and consequent complications varies between ethnic groups.1 Asian population particularly those from South East Asia have more fat and co-morbidities for any given BMI, resulting in different suggested BMI cut-off points.2 Adult BMI cut offs (Table 1) cannot be used in children and adolescents to assess obesity as BMI varies throughout childhood. In children the BMI is higher in 2nd year of life and then drops at ages 4-7 years rising slowly to adult val-
Source: PubMed
Author: Najmul Islam
Institution: Aga Khan University
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W69517975