Children and Adolescents

Childhood obesity is one of the major public health concerns due to its short- and long-term effects (1). Childhood obesity increases the risk in adulthood for obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and cancer (2). Early identification of children and adolescents with abnormal weight is crucial, as it enables timely guidance toward a healthy lifestyle during childhood, with the aim of establishing long-term healthy behaviors. BMI values can also help identify underweight children and adolescents, indicating potential nutritional deficiencies or even eating disorders that often emerge at these ages (3). In children, weight categories are defined by BMI percentiles adjusted for age and sex. According to the World Health Organization, a BMI percentile of 2.3 or lower is considered underweight, 85th to 97.6th percentile is classified as overweight, and 97.7th percentile or higher as obesity (4). Data from the Israeli National Health and Nutrition Survey and school growth screenings show that the prevalence of overweight and obesity significantly increases with age, up to middle school (5). The Israeli Ministry of Health recommends recording weight and height at least once between ages 2-4 and again between ages 5-7. From age 14 onward, it is recommended to document these measurements at least once every three years (6).