The growth charts show the weight status categories used with children and teens (underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obese. The percentile indicates the relative position of the child's BMI number among children of the same sex and age. Percentiles are the most commonly used indicator to assess the size and growth patterns of individual children in m6st countries of the world. After BMI is calculated for children and teens, the BMI number is plotted on the CDC BMI-for-age growth charts (for either girls or boys) to obtain a percentile ranking. For adults it is usually age independent and may not absolutely depend on sex of the individual, but for children and teens, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age. BMI can be considered an alternative for direct measures of body fat and nutritional status determination. It does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI correlates to direct measures of body fat, such as energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from one's weight and height, it is a reliable indicator of body fatness for most children and teens. But for the purpose of this study, emphasis will be laid only on the body mass index of children within the age of four to ten years old. In order to maintain a regular and constant body weight standard, the knowledge of body mass index was introduced by the world health organization to enable the entire public have an insight into proper diet regulation. The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in both children and adults is associated with many diet-related chronic diseases including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, stroke, hypertension and certain cancers. And it has been in use in many countries for assessment of overweight, obesity, together with nutritional status determination. Introduction Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of the ratio of one’s body mass to the square of his /her height. School health education (physical activity and nutritional education) is recommended as preventive measures.ġ. The prevalence of malnourishment among children though predominantly low should be taken seriously, especially as it appears to be associated with improving socioeconomic status. Most children had BMI within the normal range. More males were significantly malnourished than females. The prevalence of Underweight, Healthy weight, overweight and obesity were 16.33, 64.34%, 12% and 7.33% respectively. The mean BMI for males was 15.33kg/m 2 and that for females 14.71kg/m 2. To 28.20Kg/m 2 with a mean BMI of 15.02 kg/m 2. under weight, healthy weight, over weight and obese children were identified using charts from pooled internationally accepted data age and sex specific cut -off points for BMI. The weights and heights of 600 (300 males and 300 females) sampled children were measured and their BMI was calculated as weight(kg)/height 2 (m 2). The prevalence of obesity in children is increasing and is recognized as a risk indicator of cardiovascular disease in adulthood.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a statistical parameter used to determine the nutritional status/body weight efficiency of individuals, and it has been used in many countries for assessment of underweight, healthy weight, overweight and obesity in children and adults. This is a descriptive study carried out to determine the nutritional status of children within the ages of four(4) to ten (10) years using their body mass index(BMI).

Bmi calculation for children