Although often used interchangeably, the terms "overweight" and "obese" actually have two different meanings:
Body mass index (BMI), expressed as weight in pounds*703/height², is used to classify "overweight" versus "obese" among adults. Adults with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight, while adults with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese.
In children and teens, Body Mass Index is used differently than it is for adults. Children’s body fat changes over the years as they grow. Also, girls and boys differ in their body fat as they mature. Therefore, BMI for age and sex at or above the 95th percentile is considered overweight.
Because they are still growing and developing, children are not referred to as "obese". Children can be overweight or at risk for being overweight, while adults can be overweight, or at risk of being overweight, or obese.
To learn more about what school districts and community-based organizations across the country have done to expand and improve physical fitness for students under the Carol M. White Physical Education Program, visit: www.thechallenge.org.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, “Overweight and Obesity,” www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity.