Body mass index of Kuwaiti adolescents aged 10–14 years: reference percentiles and curves

The aim of this population-based study was to develop body mass index (BMI) reference standards for Kuwaiti adolescents for use in Kuwait and other Gulf countries. All available intermediate school students aged 10–14 years (32 624 males and 30 209 females) were measured for weight and height. Polynomial regression smoothing techniques were used to obtain the best-fitting curves for BMI percentiles. The BMI of boys at lower centiles and ages was almost always higher than girls. At higher centiles, the BMI of girls was almost always higher than boys. The data were compared with the United States National Center for Health Statistics standards and data from Saudi Arabian and Iranian adolescents.