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Study: Obese Children May Have Half the Average Life Expectancy

  • #Medicine & healthcare
  • #Obesity
  • #Research
Study: Obese Children May Have Half the Average Life Expectancy
story
MAY 2024
Image copyright: Jack Taylor/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
story last updated MAY 2024

The Spin

Narrative A

While childhood obesity is unquestionably on the rise and comes with severe risks, the BMI Z-score appears to be outdated as it doesn't correctly measure excess fat. To prevent healthy children from being told they are unhealthy, it would be better to use a more appropriate waist-to-height ratio, which will more accurately tell someone if their body has put on too many pounds.

BBC News

Narrative B

BMI Z-scores correlate strongly with fat measurements, so there's no need to question the rise in childhood obesity. The problem is also made clear when obese children develop cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and diabetes while their healthy peers do not. Children are hurting, and these data need to be taken seriously and followed up with public health measures that are serious and effective.

The Conversation

Metaculus Prediction


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