How is overweight defined in children aged 2–5 years?

• A. BMI between the 85th and 94th percentile for age and sex.
• B. BMI between the 50th and 75th percentile.
• C. BMI above the 99th percentile.
• D. BMI below the 5th percentile.

Answer: (A)

In young children, BMI is interpreted using age- and sex-specific percentiles on growth charts. Overweight is defined as a BMI between the 85th and 94th percentile for that child’s age and sex. This percentile approach accounts for the normal changes in body composition as kids grow, so “overweight” reflects a weight higher than most peers but not yet in the obesity range.

Why this fits best: the 85th–94th percentile marks a level above most children the same age and sex, indicating excess weight that isn’t at the extreme end seen with obesity. A BMI in the 50th–75th percentile describes a healthy or average weight, not overweight. A BMI above the 99th percentile indicates severe obesity, which is beyond the overweight category. A BMI below the 5th percentile signals underweight or possible malnutrition, not overweight.

In clinical terms, obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for age and sex, with higher percentiles (such as the 99th) describing more severe obesity.