Comparison of three weight-for-height indices in blood pressure studies in children

Associations between blood pressures and three indices commonly used to assess relative obesity (weight (kg)/height (m)², weight (kg)/height (m)³, and weight (kg)/height (m)^o) were examined in a multiracial sample of children attending private schools in Chicago, Illinois. The 1,723 boys and 1,878 girls were 5-10 years old at the time of the survey (1975-1978). Inclusion of white, black, Hispanic, and Asian children permitted comparison of the relation between anthropometric variables and blood pressures across racial groups. The three weight-for-height indices used as estimates of relative obesity yielded nearly identical regression models, suggesting that, in spite of ongoing debate about the most appropriate index for describing relative obesity in children, it makes little difference which index is used.