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Adolescence is a key time to establish risk for adult obesity. Studies showing an upward shift in BMI distribution support the common perceptions that the prevalence of overweight is increasing and that overweight youth are getting heavier. Researchers conducted a 4-year, school-based study of 1746 Ohio students in grades 5 through 12 to determine the prevalence of overweight, detect shifts in BMI distribution, and identify which adolescents are at risk for weight gain.
At baseline, 18% of adolescents were overweight (BMI, ≥95%) and 19% were at risk for overweight (BMI, 85th–95th percentile). Overall, the prevalence of adolescents who were overweight or at risk for overweight did not increase significantly during the 4-year study. However, i…