Which is the best indicator of a healthy weight range in children?

Body Mass Index (BMI)-for-age percentiles is the best indicator of a healthy weight range in children because it takes into account both height and weight, providing a more comprehensive measure of body composition in relation to growth and development patterns specific to children's age and sex. Utilizing BMI-for-age percentiles allows clinicians to compare a child's BMI to a standardized growth chart, helping to assess whether the child is underweight, at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese. This method is widely endorsed by health organizations, including the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as it reflects both the risk of obesity-related health issues and growth patterns.

Other methods, such as weight-for-height ratio, waist circumference, and skinfold thickness measurements, while useful for specific assessments, do not provide the same comprehensive overview of a child's weight status in relation to their age and overall health profile. These alternative measures may be influenced by factors unrelated to body fatness and can vary significantly in their interpretation based on the individual child’s growth patterns. Thus, BMI-for-age percentiles remain the most reliable and informative tool for gauging healthy weight in the pediatric population.