For kids 8-17, these body measurements are better at correctly identifying those who don't have heart/metabolic risks (high specificity) than those who do (low sensitivity), leading to many missed cases.

Scientific Claim

Anthropometric measures (BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio) in children aged 8-17 years have higher specificity (76.6-86.4%) than sensitivity (51.8-60.8%) for identifying those with clustered cardiometabolic risk, indicating they are better at correctly identifying children without risk than those with risk.

Original Statement

“The sensitivity of the models ranged from 51.8% (boys, WHtR) to 60.8% (girls, BMI). The corresponding specificity values ranged from 76.6% (girls, BMI) to 86.4% (boys, BMI).”

From study:A Comparison between BMI, Waist Circumference, and Waist-To-Height Ratio for Identifying Cardio-Metabolic Risk in Children and Adolescents

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The study is observational, so reporting measured values without causal language is appropriate.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

A Comparison between BMI, Waist Circumference, and Waist-To-Height Ratio for Identifying Cardio-Metabolic Risk in Children and Adolescents

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2016

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

A Comparison between BMI, Waist Circumference, and Waist-To-Height Ratio for Identifying Cardio-Metabolic Risk in Children and Adolescents

Score: 42

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149351

Similar Assertions

Using all three body measurements together doesn't help spot kids at risk better than using just one of them alone.

87%

For kids and teens aged 8 to 17, measuring body mass index, waist size, or waist-to-height ratio all show similar ability to spot those at risk for heart and metabolic problems, with accuracy scores between 0.70 and 0.74.

83%

In kids 8-17, these body measurements are much better at predicting heart/metabolic risks in overweight or obese children than in those with normal weight, with stronger links in the higher weight groups.

79%

Overweight kids 8-17 are 2.6-3.5 times more likely to have heart/metabolic risks, and obese kids are about 14 times more likely, compared to normal-weight peers.

77%