Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements may not be the most accurate way to determine whether children are overweight, new research has shown.

A study by scientists at Leeds Metropolitan University revealed hundreds of youngsters were not classed as obese using the BMI scale, but had a worryingly high waist circumference.

The results found six per cent of boys and 15 per cent of girls were obese despite their BMI indicating they were a healthy weight.

Claire Griffiths, a senior lecturer who led the study, said: "Although the choice of BMI as a measure of obesity in children is well established, widespread use of BMI to assess fatness in children may conceal differences in body composition and central adiposity."

The findings were described as concerning, as a large waist measurement can indicate a higher risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

BMI calculators consider the sex, age, height and weight of an individual to assess whether they are at a healthy weight.

Written by Donal Walsh

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