Accuracy of the Weight-for-age Index in Identifying Obese Children in the Emergency Setting

Obesity has been defined as weight-for-age > 95 th 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% th percentile 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.