At what BMI percentile range is a child considered overweight?

Prepare for the Culinary Medicine Specialist Certification. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Ensure success on your exam!

A child is considered overweight if their body mass index (BMI) is at or above the 85th percentile and below the 95th percentile for their age and sex. This classification is based on growth charts developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is widely used in clinical practice to assess weight status in children.

Being in the 85-94 percentile range indicates that a child's BMI is higher than that of 85% of their peers, which marks them as overweight rather than within a normal weight range. This classification helps healthcare providers identify children who may be at risk for health issues related to obesity and can lead to timely interventions to promote healthy growth and development.

The other options do not represent the correct range for overweight classification. The range of 5-84 is indicative of a normal weight status, while 95-100 signifies obesity and increases the risk for various health concerns. A range of 0-4 would be considered underweight, which does not align with the definitions of overweight.

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