At what percentile is a child classified as overweight based on BMI?

A child is classified as overweight based on Body Mass Index (BMI) when their BMI falls at or above the 85th percentile for their age and gender according to growth charts used in clinical practice. This means that the child's BMI is greater than that of 85% of the children in the same demographic group. The classification helps identify those children who may be at increased risk of obesity-related health issues.

The 85th percentile is a key threshold established in pediatric health assessments as it indicates a higher weight status without necessarily reaching the criteria for obesity, which generally starts at the 95th percentile. This differentiation is crucial for guiding interventions and monitoring weight management strategies in a clinical setting.