Body mass index cut-offs for screening for childhood overweight and obesity in Indian children

Objective  

To develop age and sex specific cut-offs for BMI to screen for overweight and obesity in Indian children linked to an adult BMI of 23 and 28 kg/m² respectively, using contemporary Indian data.     

贵阳市7～17岁少年儿童体质指数分布及超重肥胖状况

目的 了解贵阳市少年儿童体质指数分布及超重、肥胖状况,为儿童营养健康教育提供依据.方法 采用整群随机抽样的方法抽取贵阳市7所中、小学7～17岁的8 616名学生为研究对象,测量身高、体重,计算出体质指数百分位数值.以国际生命科学会中国肥胖问题工作组(WGOC)颁布的"中国学龄儿童青少年超重、肥胖筛查体质量指数值分类标准",对贵阳市少年儿童超重、肥胖状况进行筛查.结果 与WGOC采用的以体质指数P85和P95作为超重和肥胖筛查标准相比,贵阳市男孩P85、P95值均有相对增高趋势,而女孩P85、P95值变化相对不明显;贵阳市少年儿童超重和肥胖总检出率为12.5%和6.8%,其中男孩分别为15.0%和8.4%,女孩分别为9.9%和5.2%,男孩超重、肥胖检出率均高于女孩(P均<0.01).结论 贵阳市超重肥胖儿童日益增多,应重视对儿童超重、肥胖的预防工作.     

Body mass index in Belgian schoolchildren and its relationship with sensitization and allergic symptoms

Results of studies of the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the allergic status are controversial. As a part of the Aalst Allergy Study, we assessed the prevalence of the different BMI categories (underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity) and a possible association between BMI and atopy in 1576 unselected Belgian schoolchildren, aged from 3.4 to 14.8 yr. BMI was used to determine weight status. Skin prick testing with the most common aeroallergens was performed. A parental questionnaire documented data on respiratory and allergic disorders, demographic characteristics and other potential risk factors for sensitization. Among the total children, 4.1% of the children were underweight, 14.5% were overweight, and 7.4% were obese. More girls than boys were overweight (p = 0.015). In the group of children older than 12 yr, we found more overweight (p = 0.03) and obese (p = 0.004) girls, and more obese boys (p = 0.004) than in the younger age groups. In contrast with reports in the literature, an increased prevalence of allergic sensitization in underweight girls only [adjusted odd ratio (OR_adj) = 2.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3–6.4] was documented. A strong association between obesity and exercise-induced respiratory symptoms was found in both boys (OR_adj = 14.5, 95% CI: 2.9–73.3) and girls (OR_adj = 4.9, 95% CI: 1.3–17.4). No correlations with allergic respiratory symptoms, eczema, or rhinoconjunctivitis could be documented.     

Body mass index rebound and overweight at 8 years of age in hyperphenylalaninaemic children

Aim: To evaluate whether the age at body mass index (BMI) rebound may be associated with overweight at age 8 y in hyperphenylalaninaemic (HPA) children. Methods: A longitudinal observational study including 97 HPA children born 1984-1993 and detected by the National Neonatal Screening programme. Children were followed up at the same institution and evaluated for dietary intakes and anthropometrical parameters from diagnosis up to the age of 8 y. Outcome measure was overweight at age 8 y, defined according to the International Obesity Task Force. The age at BMI rebound, BMI before and at rebound were considered as potential determinants. Familial overweight, breastfeeding and macronutrients intake at age 1 y were considered as confounders. Results: Mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) age at BMI rebound was 5.0 (4.7-5.3) y. At the age of 8 y, 24.7% (95% CI 16.3-33.1%) of children was overweight. Children overweight at the age of 8 y exhibited earlier BMI rebound than non-overweight children (mean difference [95% CI] -2.1 [-2.8 to -1.4] y) and higher BMI from the age of 1 y (mean difference [95% CI] 1.2 [0.9-2.5] kg/m[Formula: See Text]) onward. Overweight was more likely in children with, rather than without, parental overweight (41.0% vs 19.8%). After adjustment for confounders, logistic analysis showed that earlier BMI rebound (odds ratio [OR] 2.4, 95% CI 1.2-4.8) and BMI at age 1 y (OR 2.3, 95%CI 1.1-4.98) were independently associated with overweight at the age of 8 y.

Conclusion: Within the population of this study, overweight at age 8 y was positively associated with early BMI rebound and BMI at age 1 y.     

Maternal prepregnancy body mass index in relation to Hispanic preschooler overweight/obesity

The aim of the current study was to examine the role of maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) on overweight/obesity among US Hispanic children ages 2 and 4 years old. We used US nationally representative data from preschoolers enrolled in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort study. The findings revealed that a significantly higher percent (41.6%) of Hispanic mothers were overweight/obese prior to pregnancy compared to white mothers (34.8%). At 2 years of age, 38.3% of the children born to Hispanic mothers were overweight/obese compared to 29.4% of children born to white mothers. By the age of 4, overweight/obesity increased significantly for both racial/ethnic groups with preschoolers whose mothers were Hispanic being more likely to be overweight/obese (44.6%) compared to children whose mothers were white (34.2%). Further, preschoolers born to overweight/obese Hispanic mothers were more than twice as likely [odds ratio = 2.74 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.60, 4.69)] to be overweight/obese than those born to Hispanic mothers of normal prepregnancy BMI. Preschoolers born to overweight/obese white mothers were approximately 1.4 (95% CI 1.05, 1.93) times more likely to be overweight/obese in comparison to those born to mothers with a normal prepregnancy BMI. Maternal prepregnancy weight is potentially a modifiable risk factor for preschooler overweight/obesity. Study findings support the design of early and targeted interventions to reduce this risk to the long-term health of Hispanic maternal and child dyads.     

Body mass index percentiles among adolescent girls living in Edirne, Turkey

BACKGROUND: Body mass index (BMI) is the simplest way to measure obesity; therefore, it is chosen by many authorities as a screening method for adolescent obesity. Body mass index is positively correlated with the complications of childhood and adolescent obesity, such as hypercholesterolemia, insulin resistance, hyper-tension and long-term development of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the present study was to produce percentile curves for bodyweight, height and BMI in a representative sample of adolescent girls living in urban and rural areas of Edirne, Turkey, and to compare these percentile curves with curves from other countries. METHODS: The present study was a cross-sectional study, including a representative sample of 1687 adolescent girls from rural and urban areas of Edirne, who were evaluated between May and July 2001. Bodyweight and height were measured using standard procedures. Body mass index (kg/m2) was calculated as the ratio of bodyweight to body height squared. Smoothed percentiles for these variables were calculated using polynominal regression models. Crude weight, height and BMI percentile values, as well as smoothed percentile curves are presented. RESULTS: Body mass index, weight and height reference curves for adolescent girls were produced. When we compared the BMI values of subjects in the present study with those of other countries, 85th and 95th percentiles of BMI in the present study were found to be generally lower than those for other ethnicities. CONCLUSION: Our findings show ethnic differences in BMI among adolescent girls. It will be usefull for each country to produce its own BMI percentiles.     

Season of birth and prevalence of overweight and obesity in Canada

BACKGROUND:: The contexts of prenatal life, such as one's season of birth, have been shown to influence health later in life. For example, research has shown a disproportionate number of schizophrenic patients are born during the late winter and early spring. The purpose of this study was to examine season of birth as a possible risk for overweight and obesity. METHODOLOGY:: Utilizing cycle 2.1 of the Canadian Community Health Survey, birth data of respondents 12 to 64 years old were examined. The risk associated with season of birth was compared to risks previously identified for overweight and obesity (e.g. physical inactivity, low socioeconomic status etc.). RESULTS:: Overall, among the 20-64 year olds, those in the obese III (BMI>/=40 kg/m(2)) category were 1.54 times more likely to be born in the winter (95% CI: 1.21-1.95). This effect appears largely due to a winter/spring season of birth effect among the obese II/III (BMI>/=35) 20-29 y cohort (Winter OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.08-2.18; Spring OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.10-2.18). A summer season of birth effect was observed for the obese II/III 40-49 y cohort (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.21-2.11). No season of birth effects were observed among any BMI categories for those 12-19 years, or among those 20 y and over in the overweight BMI category. CONCLUSION:: A greater proprtion of class III obese Canadians are born during the winter/spring, particularly in the 20-29 y age cohort. However, other factors (e.g. physical inactivity) represent greater risks for obesity than season of birth.     

Body mass index and overweight in adolescents in 13 European countries, Israel, and the United States

OBJECTIVE: To compare the body mass index (BMI) (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) and the prevalence of BMI at or above the 85th centile and 95th centile (overweight) in adolescents. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, nationally representative school-based surveys in 1997-1998 by means of identical data collection methods. SETTING: Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Flemish Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Ireland, Israel, Portugal, Slovakia, Sweden, and the United States. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 29 242 boys and girls, aged 13 and 15 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The BMI, BMI at or above the 85th centile, and BMI at or above the 95th centile (overweight) from self-reported height and weight. RESULTS: The highest prevalence of overweight was found in the United States and the lowest in Lithuania. On the basis of the study reference standard, the prevalence of overweight (percentage) in the United States was 12.6% in 13-year-old boys, 10.8% in 13-year-old girls, 13.9% in 15-year-old boys, and 15.1% in 15-year-old girls, all significantly increased. Prevalence of overweight in Lithuania was significantly below the expected 5%, with 1.8% in 13-year-old boys, 2.6% in 13-year-old girls, 0.8% in 15-year-old boys, and 2.1% in 15-year-old girls. Relative rankings among countries were similar for BMI at or above the 85th centile, although there were less dramatic differences at this level. CONCLUSIONS: The highest prevalences of overweight were found in the United States, Ireland, Greece, and Portugal.     

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in pediatric survivors of cancer

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of overweight in a cohort of pediatric survivors of cancer with that in the general population. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed the charts of 441 cancer survivors followed at a Canadian tertiary care pediatric hospital and calculated their most recent body mass index. We compared this cohort with population data generated from the Canadian Community Health Survey. RESULTS: At a median age of 14.7 years (range, 3.4 to 19.5 years) and a median time from diagnosis of 9.7 years (range, 3.4 to 19.2 years), 140 of 441 patients (31.7%) were overweight or obese. Only 12 of the 441 patients (2.7%) were underweight. Males age 6 to 11 years (odds ratio [OR] = 2.29; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.36 to 3.86; P < .001) and male survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (OR = 1.55; 95% CI = 1.03 to 2.52; P = .04) were more likely to be overweight than the general population. No other age or diagnostic group had an increased risk of overweight. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of overweight was not increased in this cohort compared with the general population. However, almost 1/3 of these patients are overweight, necessitating a clinical and research focus on preventing and combating overweight in childhood cancer survivors.     

成都市中小学生超重肥胖流行现状分析

目的 了解成都市中小学生超重、肥胖的发生情况,为制定中小学生肥胖防治措施提供依据.方法 四川大学华西第二医院儿童保健科2006年在成都市5城区中小学中整群抽样,测量身高、体重,计算体重指数(BMI),使用"中国学龄儿童超重、肥胖BMI筛查分类"参考标准进行超重、肥胖判断,计算超重、肥胖检出率.结果 超重检出率男14.1%、女8.2%,肥胖检出率男6.8%、女3.2%;男性超重和肥胖检出率都比女性高,经X2检验,差异有统计学意义(超重X2=281.05、肥胖X2=73.29,P均<0.01).无论男女,7～<12岁组和12～<19岁组之间超重检出率比较,差异无统计学意义(男X2=1.429,女X2=0.862,P均>0.05).男女肥胖检出率比较,差异有统计学意义,7～<12岁组肥胖检出率高于12～<19岁组(男X2=11.70,女X2=10.14,P均<0.01).结论 成都市中小学生超重、肥胖检出率高,有必要制定相应防治措施防止肥胖大规模流行;有必要制定成都市中小学生BMI参考值.     

Declining prevalence rates for overweight and obesity in German children starting school

To estimate the development of prevalence rates for overweight and obesity in children starting school in Germany, data for children’s height and weight out of the compulsory school enrolment examinations (SEE), conducted annually in every German federal state, were available. A former analysis of these data showed a marked increase of prevalence of overweight and obesity until 2004. The aim of this project was to give an updated overview on the development of prevalence rates for overweight and obesity in children upon school entry by including recent data until 2008. Data on measured height and weight from the yearly conducted SEE were obtained from all 16 German federal states. Overweight and obesity were defined by BMI > 90th and BMI > 97th age- and gender-related percentiles of German reference values, respectively. In 2008, the prevalence for overweight varied from 8.4% in Saxony to 11.9% in Bremen and Thuringia. The current prevalence rates for obesity ranged from 3.3% in Brandenburg and Saxony till 5.4% in Saarland. The current data from SEE by the majority of the individual states showed that the prevalence for both overweight and obesity did not increase any more after 2004 and is even declining in some states compared to the former data inquiry. Absolute decrease of prevalence rates was up to 3% for overweight and 1.8% for obesity. Conclusion: The current data from the SEE of individual German states are based on census and showed by the majority that the prevalence of overweight and obese children starting school did not increase anymore and even declined in the last 4 years, respectively. It is supposed that the measures for prevention initiated in the 1990s and implemented afterwards have contributed to this positive development in Germany.     

Body mass index in Bengali adolescents

We describe a mixed longitudinal analysis of body mass index (BMI) in a group of Bengali adolescents (age 11-17 years) from a middle income family background and compare this against existing national and international data. Healthy school children, comprising of 416 boys and 343 girls were consented for annual repeat measurements of weight, height and pubertal staging between the years 1998 and 2001. The LMS method was used to construct smoothed BMI mean and standard deviation (SD) curves. Bengali adolescents have lower BMI than affluent Indian children and are -1 to -2 SD below US children. BMI increases in adolescence (boys: r = 0.49, p < 0.001, girls: r = 0.54, P < 0.001) with age but SMR does not have an independent effect on BMI.     

Prevalence trends of obesity and overweight among 10-year-old children in western Sweden and relationship with parental body mass index

AIM: To determine the regional prevalence, secular and family-related trends of obesity and overweight among 10-y-old children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 10-y-old children, born in 1990, was performed during September 2000 to June 2001 at school health centres in three communities in the western part of Sweden. Evaluation was performed in 6311 children, or 81% of the target population. Data from a cohort of children, born in 1974, who form the national growth charts, were available for comparison. RESULTS: The mean body mass index was 17.9 kg/m2 in 10-y-old children born in 1990 and 17.0 kg/m2 for 10-y-olds born in 1974 (p < 0.0001). Of the 10-y-old children in 2000-2001, born in 1990, 18% were overweight and 2.9 % obese, which corresponds to a twofold increase in presence of overweight and a fourfold increase in presence of obesity among 10-y-old children from 1984 to 2000. There was a significant correlation between parental and child body mass index. The prevalence of obesity and being overweight appeared to be higher in children whose parents did not participate in the study. CONCLUSION: During a 16-y period, from 1984 to 2000, a twofold increase in being overweight and a fourfold increase in obesity were seen among 10-y-old children in the western part of Sweden. Parental ponderosity or reluctance to participate in the study was related to a higher prevalence of being overweight or obese in the children. There is a need for the healthcare system to recognize the threats to the health of the population of this new "epidemic" and initiate preventive measures and treatment programmes.     

1496例儿童体块指数和皮褶厚度的临床研究

目的：研究儿童体块指数（BMI）、皮褶厚度（SF）与相对体重（RW）、臂围（AG）及年龄之间的关系，找出适用于儿童肥胖症临床诊断的指标。方法：测定1496名1～13a体健儿童的身高、体重、AG、三头肌皮褶（TSF）、肩胛下皮褶（SSF）、腹部皮褶（ASF），分析儿童BMI、SF与RW、AG及年龄之间的关系。结果：1．BMI与三处SF之和（SF3）、RW、AG之间的相关系数＞0．8（P＜0．001）。2．随年龄增长，AG、ASF增加，TSF、BMI下降。3．3～6a、12a女孩SF厚于男孩，8、9a男孩BMI高于女孩。结论：1．BMI和SF3第95百分位作为诊断儿童肥胖症的指标优于单用RW或一处SF。2．AG、腹部脂肪随年龄增加，但三头肌和全身脂肪相对减少。3．女孩的脂肪发育速度快于男孩。     

珠蛋白生成障碍性贫血伴缺铁的发生率及意义

目的 了解珠蛋白生成障碍性贫血（简称地贫）患儿伴缺铁的发生率，探讨其临床意义。方法 对127例确诊地贫儿进行铁指标（SF、SI、TIBC、FEP）的检测。结果 127例中缺铁者28例(22 %)，其中α型占19 %(4/21)，β型占22.6 %(24/106)，两者无显著差异 (P＞0.5)。β型地贫并缺铁者HbF＜30 %组占38.8 %(19/49)， HbF≥30 %组占8.8 %(5/57)，差异显著 (P＜0.005)。HbF＜30 %组＜3 a者的缺铁率明显高于＞3 a者(53.3 %vs 15.8 %, P＜0.01)。结论 地贫儿可能伴发铁缺乏，尤其是低HbF的婴幼儿缺铁率更高，有必要对其进行适当补铁治疗。     

Child overweight and obesity in the USA: prevalence rates according to IOTF definitions.

AIMS: To establish the prevalence of child overweight and obesity in the USA using IOTF-recommended definitions. METHODS: Original data from the NHANES surveys for 1999-2000 and 2003-2004 were analysed using the IOTF cut-offs and prevalence levels calculated using sample weightings provided. RESULTS: In 1999-2000, overweight (including obesity) was affecting 29% of school-age children. By 2003-2004 this figure had risen above 35%. Obesity alone was affecting 10% of school children in the 1999-2000, and over 13% in 2003-2004. CONCLUSION: The United States is experiencing levels of child overweight and obesity that are among the highest recorded in any country in the world.