High BMI z-Scores from Different Growth References Are Not Comparable: An Example from a Weight Management Trial with an Anti-Obesity Medication in Pubertal Adolescents with Obesity.

The BMI z-score is a standardized measure of weight status and weight change in children and adolescents. BMI z-scores from various growth references are often considered comparable, and differences among them are underappreciated. This study reanalyzed data from a weight management clinical study of liraglutide in pubertal adolescents with obesity using growth references from CDC 2000, CDC Extended, World Health Organization (WHO), and International Obesity Task Force. BMI z-score treatment differences varied 2-fold from -0.13 (CDC 2000) to -0.26 (WHO) overall and varied almost 4-fold from -0.05 (CDC 2000) to -0.19 (WHO) among adolescents with high baseline BMI z-score. Depending upon the growth reference used, BMI z-score endpoints can produce highly variable treatment estimates and alter interpretations of clinical meaningfulness. BMI z-scores cited without the associated growth reference cannot be accurately interpreted.