Body mass index BMI is a measure used to determine childhood overweight and obesity. Overweight is defined as a BMI at or above the 85 th percentile and below the 95 th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex. Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex. Therefore, BMI levels among children and teens need to be expressed relative to other children of the same age and sex. For example, a year-old boy of average height 56 inches who weighs pounds would have a BMI of This would place the boy in the 95 th percentile for BMI, and he would be considered as obese. The CDC Growth Charts are the most commonly used indicator to measure the size and growth patterns of children and teens in the United States.

Background: Increasing evidence suggests a close association between early sexual maturation SM and obesity in girls and female adults. Earlier maturing girls are more likely to be obese than nonearly maturers. However, limited research has been conducted in boys. Objective: To examine the influence of early SM on fatness in boys and compare it with girls, and to test the hypothesis that the associations differ by gender because of the differences in growth and SM patterns in boys and girls. Study design: Cross-sectional study.

Ever wondered how a sex coach decides to make sex their job? Athena Mae found her unlikely calling as a teenager, when friends came to her with their questions. Then she started teaching body-positive sex education. This is what 20 years of shedding myths about sex and body size has taught her. And, yep, she tells it straight