Tracking of obesity during childhood (ages 5 to 14 years)

This figure demonstrates strong tracking of obesity from early childhood into adolescence, based on a longitudinal study from the United States. Among children with mild obesity in kindergarten (BMI 95^th percentile), nearly one-half will be obese in 8^th grade. Among children with severe obesity in kindergarten (BMI 99^th percentile), nearly three-quarters will be obese in 8^th grade. Thus, a substantial component of adolescent obesity is established before 5 years of age. These observations provide support for the concept of interventions early in life to prevent and treat obesity.