Title of article:

Body Mass Index variations: centiles from birth to 87 years.

Authors: Rolland-Cachera MF, Cole TJ, Sempe M, Tichet J, Rossignol C, Charraud A.
Journal: Eur J Clin Nutr, Jan 1991;45(1):13-21

Abstract

This report provides Body Mass Index (weight/height2) values for the French population from birth to the age of 87 years. BMI curves increase during the first year, decrease until the age of 6, increase again up to 65 years and decrease thereafter. These variations reflect the total changes of fat body mass during life. The 50th centile values of Wt/Ht2 at the ages of 20, 40, 60, 80 years are 21.5, 24.6, 25.4, 24.4 kg/m2 for men and 20.6, 22.6, 24.1, 23.4 kg/m2 for women. The values for the 3rd, 50th and 97th centiles in the middle years are approximately 18, 24 and 32 kg/m2. Graphs for these and four other percentiles are plotted against age, and two other graphs summarising the variation and skewness of the Wt/Ht2 distribution are provided to calculate exact percentiles and Z-scores for individuals.

Comments and Key points

This article documents the French population's body mass index. France has a population with less obesity than America. A graph of BMI centiles is shown below:

I show this graphic because it illustrates the curve shapes that occur in adulthood at all percentile lines. A "flat line" just isn't realistic. Body Mass index keeps on changing with age.

I have replotted the 10^th percentile BMI values from this article, showing the curving trendline of mens and women's data combined. This represents skinny adults, who remain skinny throughout their lives, and yet, their BMI increases with age.

The data sources in this article were from 3 different surveys in 1980+1985, 1979, and 1976+1977.

 

Review & comments by Steven B. Halls, MD, Last edited 23-June, 20038, Copyright.
Return to Body Mass Index bibliography.