Final answer:
Childhood obesity is a condition where excess body fat negatively affects a child's health or well-being. It is diagnosed when a child has a BMI that is greater than the 95th percentile of the reference values for children of the same age. This means that the child's BMI is higher than that of 95 percent of same-aged children in the reference sample.
Step-by-step explanation:
Childhood obesity is a condition where excess body fat negatively affects a child's health or well-being. It is diagnosed when a child has a BMI that is greater than the 95th percentile of the reference values for children of the same age. This means that the child's BMI is higher than that of 95 percent of same-aged children in the reference sample.
A child who weighs more than 20 pounds (>20) is not necessarily considered overweight or obese. Body weight alone is not a reliable indicator of obesity, as it varies based on factors such as age, height, and body composition.
However, it is important to note that childhood obesity is a distressing trend that can lead to health issues including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It is a serious public health concern, and efforts should be made to promote healthy eating habits and physical activity among children.