Special tape to measure obesity
A local university has created a one-step measuring tape to determine childhood obesity.
Generally, obesity is determined by comparing body mass index (BMI) to waist size. Adult obesity follows this simple formula.
On the other hand, a child's BMI changes with age: usually it rises steeply in infancy, falls during pre-school years and rises again during childhood and adolescence.
Their waist sizes are also significantly smaller than those of adults.
Health practitioners refer to different tables to determine if a child is really obese.
The new measuring tape, designed by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, simplifies this by showing age-specific cut-off values of BMI.
The Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union (HKPTU) will organise seminars for primary and secondary school teachers to educate them about childhood obesity. They will also learn how to use the special measuring tape.
The measuring tapes will be sold at HKPTU service centres.
