Childhood Obesity in 12-Year-Olds: Definition & BMI Ranges

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), childhood obesity is defined as "a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to the 95th percentile of the WHO growth charts for children and adolescents of the same age and sex."

For a 12-year-old, this corresponds to a BMI of approximately 23.3 kg/m2 for girls and 22.3 kg/m2 for boys.

It's important to note that BMI is just one indicator of obesity and that other factors such as body composition, physical activity, and overall health should also be considered when assessing a child's weight status.