For children, the Body Mass Index (BMI) is not classified in the same way than for adults. In addition to the weight and height measures that form the adult BMI, the measure is compared to other children of the same age and gender. In 2018, roughly 19 percent of children were considered overweight in Belgium.
Because BMI changes with age, the BMI measure is placed on a standard gender-specific growth chart provided by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). According to this chart, an overweight child's BMI needs to be situated between the IOTF 85th percentile but less than the 95th percentile. From 1997 to 2018, an increasing share of Belgian children has been situated in these lines. Therefore, excess weight in children seems to be a growing phenomenon in the country.
Evaluating the growth allows the early detection of the risk of becoming overweight or obese, therefore allowing to take preventative measures and supporting the child and his family in a healthier lifestyle, balancing physical activity with an appropriate diet.
Share of overweight children according to their average Body Mass Index (BMI) in Belgium from 1997 to 2018
Characteristic
Share of children
2018
18.7%
2013
18%
2008
17.2%
2004
16.1%
2001
16.3%
1997
13.6%
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Share of children13.6%13.6%16.3%16.3%16.1%16.1%17.2%17.2%18%18%18.7%18.7%199720012004200820132018
0%5%10%15%20%25%
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Sciensano. (October 30, 2019). Share of overweight children according to their average Body Mass Index (BMI) in Belgium from 1997 to 2018 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved January 04, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1090571/body-mass-index-overweight-belgian-children/
Sciensano. "Share of overweight children according to their average Body Mass Index (BMI) in Belgium from 1997 to 2018." Chart. October 30, 2019. Statista. Accessed January 04, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1090571/body-mass-index-overweight-belgian-children/
Sciensano. (2019). Share of overweight children according to their average Body Mass Index (BMI) in Belgium from 1997 to 2018. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: January 04, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1090571/body-mass-index-overweight-belgian-children/
Sciensano. "Share of Overweight Children According to Their Average Body Mass Index (Bmi) in Belgium from 1997 to 2018." Statista, Statista Inc., 30 Oct 2019, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1090571/body-mass-index-overweight-belgian-children/
Sciensano, Share of overweight children according to their average Body Mass Index (BMI) in Belgium from 1997 to 2018 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1090571/body-mass-index-overweight-belgian-children/ (last visited January 04, 2025)
Share of overweight children according to their average Body Mass Index (BMI) in Belgium from 1997 to 2018 [Graph], Sciensano, October 30, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1090571/body-mass-index-overweight-belgian-children/
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