Which BMI percentile ranges define weight status categories in children?

• A. Underweight <5th; Healthy weight 5th–85th; Overweight 85th–95th; Obesity ≥95th; Severe obesity ≥120% of the 95th percentile
• B. Underweight 0-5th; Healthy weight 5th-50th; Overweight 50th-90th; Obesity 90th-100th
• C. Underweight <3rd; Healthy 3rd-85th; Overweight 85th-94th; Obesity ≥94th
• D. Underweight <10th; Healthy 10th-60th; Overweight 60th-90th; Obesity ≥90th

Answer: (A)

In children, weight status is determined by BMI percentile for age and sex because kids grow at different rates, so we compare a child’s BMI to peers. The standard cutoffs define: underweight below the 5th percentile; healthy weight from the 5th up to the 85th percentile; overweight from the 85th up to the 95th percentile; obesity at the 95th percentile or higher. Severe obesity is often defined as BMI that is at least 120% of the 95th percentile. This set of thresholds is widely used to identify risk levels and guide counseling and treatment. Other option gaps don’t match these customary cutoffs and would misclassify many children.