@article{tripathi2014accuracy,
  title = {Accuracy of the Weight-for-age Index in Identifying Obese Children in the Emergency Setting},
  author = {Reetika Tripathi1 and QuynhDoan2 and Vikram Sabhaney2 and Kathy Boutis3 },
  year = 2014,
  url = {https://ibimapublishing.com/articles/OBES/2014/558641/},
  journal = {Journal of Research in Obesity},
  volume = 2014 (2014),
  pages = 10,
  doi = 10.5171/2014.558641,
  abstract = {Obesity has been defined as weight-for-age > 95th percentile for research/clinical settings like the emergency department where height is not routinely available. Our main objective was to determine the sensitivity of weight-for-age > 95%thpercentile in identifying obesity, using Body Mass Index (BMI)-for-age > 95% percentile as the reference standard. We also determined the specificity, and predictive values, and the correlation between weight and BMI-for-age values. This was a cross-sectional study with prospectively collected data conducted at two urban, tertiary care pediatric emergency departments in Canada.  Children between 2 and 17 years of age with acute extremity injuries were enrolled. Of the 2259 participants, 1283 (56.1%) were male and the mean (SD) age was 9.5 (4.1) years. Using weight-for-age >95th percentile, 326 [14.3% (12.9, 15.7]) were classified as obese, while using BMI-for-age > 95th percentile criteria determined that 363 [16.1% (14.6, 17.7)] were obese, p < 0.0001. The sensitivity (95% CI) of weight-for-age > 95thpercentile to identify obesity was 62.2% (57.0, 67.2).  The specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 94.5 % (93.6, 95.6), 14.4% (13.0, 16.0), and 85.6% (84.0, 87.0), respectively. The correlation between BMI and weight-for-age was 0.71 (0.68, 0.73). Although there may be limited validity in using this weight-for-age cut-off as a definition for obesity in research that includes children with acute injuries, the high specificity may provide some clinical utility in identifying two-thirds of children who are obese while minimizing false labeling of this condition.},
  keywords = {Obesity, Pediatrics, Definition.},
  note = Article ID: 558641
}