Growth status of children 6-12 years from two different geographic regions of Mexico

Primary objectives : The purposes of the study are to assess the growth status of urban Mexican children living in different geographic areas of the country, to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity, and to explore secular trends in body size. Design : Cross-sectional surveys of 293 children 6-11 years from Sonora in the north-west of the country (155 boys, 138 girls), and 356 children 7-12 years from Veracruz on the Gulf Coast (194 boys, 162 girls) were undertaken in 1992 and 1993, respectively. Procedures : Height and weight were measured; the body mass index (BMI, kg m -2 ) was calculated. Growth status was compared to USA reference data and to samples of Mexican children in 1926 and 1975. The prevalence of overweight (BMI &#83 85th and < 95th percentiles) and obesity (BMI &#83 95th percentile) was estimated. Results : Girls and boys from Sonora and Veracruz do not differ in height, weight and the BMI. Mean heights are at (girls) or below (boys) the medians of USA growth charts, while mean weights are at (boys) or just below (girls) the 75th percentiles at most ages. As a result, mean BMIs are above (boys) and below (girls) the 75th percentiles over the age range studied. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is 40% in boys and 35% in girls, whereas the prevalence of obesity per se is 23% in boys and 17% in girls. Compared to urban Mexican children in the Federal District surveyed in 1926, children in the present sample are taller and heavier, but the secular trend in body weight is more pronounced since the mid-1960s. Heights of the current samples are similar to those of well-off children in Mexico City in the early 1970s, but weights are heavier. Conclusions : The gap in height between well-off and lower socioeconomic status chidren in different regions of Mexico has been reduced, but there is an increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity.     

Body mass index percentiles for Turkish children aged 0–84 months

Background: Reference body mass index (BMI) percentiles are needed to follow secular changes in Turkish children aged 0–84 months. Obesity prevalence in this age group is also not well documented.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine BMI percentiles and the prevalences of overweight and obesity in Turkish children aged 0–84 months. The authors also tried to compare actual BMI status with World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

Subjects and methods: This study used data from the Anthropometry of Turkish Children aged 0–6 years (ATCA-06) study. This cross-sectional study, conducted from September 2009 to May 2010 in Kayseri, Turkey, included 2683 children (1359 girls, 1324 boys) aged 0–84 months. Centile curves were constructed using the LMS method.

Results: It was found that BMI percentiles of Turkish children were higher than WHO standards in early childhood. The overweight and obesity prevalences were identical in both genders, 10.0% and 4.9%, respectively.

Conclusion: This study provides both BMI reference values and prevalence figures for overweight and obesity in children aged 0–84 months, residing in Kayseri city, in Turkey. It is believed that these data can be of use in following secular changes as well as for comparisons with international standards.     

Secular change in the growth status of urban and rural schoolchildren aged 6–13 years in Oaxaca,southern Mexico

Background: Populations in the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico are at high risk for malnutrition and marginalization.

Aim: The study compared secular changes in the growth status of urban and rural schoolchildren in the Valley of Oaxaca between the 1970s and 2000.

Subjects and methods: Cross-sectional surveys of boys and girls aged 6–13 years (n = 1472) were carried out in an urban colonia populares in 1972 and 2000 and a rural indigenous community in 1978 and 2000. Height, sitting height and weight were measured; leg length, sitting height ratio, BMI, and prevalence of stunting, underweight, overweight and obesity were calculated. Sex-specific ANCOVA controlling for age was used.

Results: Both urban and rural children experienced significant secular gains in linear dimensions, body weight and the BMI between the 1970s and 2000. Estimated rates of secular gain overlapped considerably between urban and rural children. Secular gains in the BMI are significantly greater in urban than rural boys and girls. Urban–rural differences in linear dimensions and body weight in 2000 compared to the 1970s do not differ in either sex, but urban–rural differences in the BMI are greater in boys and girls in 2000 compared to the 1970s. The prevalence of stunting declined while that of overweight and obesity increased.

Conclusions: Significant secular increases in body size occurred between the 1970s and 2000, but there was considerable overlap between urban and rural children. Only secular gains in the BMI were significantly greater in urban than rural boys and girls and the magnitudes of urban–rural differences in the BMI were greater in 2000 than in the 1970s.     

Overweight and obesity in affluent school children of Punjab

In the present cross-sectional study, an attempt has been made to report the prevalence of overweight and obesity in school-going children of the affluent families of Punjab. A total of 1000 children (490 boys and 510 girls) were measured for height and weight. Overweight and obesity were assessed using age and sex-specific body mass index (BMI) cut-off points. In the present study, 12.24% boys and 14.31% girls were overweight, and 5.92% boys and 6.27% girls were obese. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among the affluent school children of Punjab was as high or higher as in some developed countries.     

Overweight and obesity in affluent school children of Punjab

In the present cross-sectional study, an attempt has been made to report the prevalence of overweight and obesity in school-going children of the affluent families of Punjab. A total of 1000 children (490 boys and 510 girls) were measured for height and weight. Overweight and obesity were assessed using age and sex-specific body mass index (BMI) cut-off points. In the present study, 12.24% boys and 14.31% girls were overweight, and 5.92% boys and 6.27% girls were obese. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among the affluent school children of Punjab was as high or higher as in some developed countries.     

Changes in nutritional status of children and adolescents in Shandong,China from 1995 to 2005

Background: Nutritional status of children and adolescents has long been known to be a determinant of health and disease; both obesity and underweight are associated with health consequences. However, no studies have been reported on changes in nutritional status of children and adolescents in Shandong, China.

Aim: The present study assessed the changes in nutritional status of children and adolescents in Shandong Province from 1995 to 2005.

Subjects and methods: Data used derived from two national surveys on students' constitution and health carried out by the government in 1995 and 2005 in Shandong Province, China. Increments of stature, body weight, body mass index (BMI) and haemoglobin (Hb) for children and adolescents aged 7, 9, 12, 14 and 17 years were reported. Prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity were obtained according to the screening criteria of underweight, overweight and obesity for Chinese students using BMI and prevalence of anaemia was obtained according to the WHO criteria.

Results: Means of stature, body weight, BMI and Hb for both boys and girls surveyed in 2005 were significantly higher than 1995 values. The range of increments of stature and body weight for adolescents aged 7, 9, 12, 14 and 17 years were 1.95–3.66 cm and 2.21–6.25 kg for boys and 1.40–2.91 cm and 1.48–3.10 kg for girls. In the past 10 years, rates of overweight and obesity increased, while underweight was not as evident: for overweight from 7.95% (boys) and 5.21% (girls) in 1995 to 13.62% (boys) and 8.25% (girls) in 2005; and for obesity from 3.48% (boys) and 2.07% (girls) in 1995 to 11.17% (boys) and 5.64% (girls) in 2005. The rate of anaemia decreased, from 19.99% (boys) and 23.43% (girls) in 1995 to 10.28% (boys) and 13.07% (girls) in 2005.

Conclusion: The nutritional status of children and adolescents has shown some improvement, although prevalence of overweight and obesity increased significantly during the 10-year period. Concerted efforts should be made to appropriately control the prevalence of overweight and obesity.     

Weight and body mass index (BMI): current data for Austrian boys and girls aged 4 to under 19 years

Background: BMI reference charts are widely used to diagnose overweight, obesity and underweight in children and adolescents.

Aim: To provide up-to-date national reference values for Austria.

Methods: A cross-sectional sample of over 14?500 children and adolescents (4–19 years) stratified by provinces according to age- and sex-specific population proportions was drawn via schooling institutions (kindergartens, schools and vocational colleges). The generalized additive models for location, scale and shape were used for a flexible estimation of percentile curves.

Results: Austrian boys and girls have higher average weight compared with previous prevalence data. BMI centiles matching BMI values at age 18 years, which are used for defining thinness, overweight and obesity in adults, were calculated. In Austria, using reference values as thresholds, ～18% of boys and 12% of girls are overweight (with thresholds passing through BMI 25.00–29.99?kg/m² in adults) and 5% of boys and 3% of girls are obese (with thresholds passing through BMI ≥30.00?kg/m² in adults).

Conclusion: Overweight and obesity are common in Austria and their prevalence is increasing (using the same IOTF reference for international comparison). Up-to-date national BMI reference values are provided to classify children and adolescents according to the proposed overweight and obesity thresholds.     

Book review

Background: Due to the secular trend in length and height, growth references need to be updated regularly. Reference charts that were until recently used in Belgium are based on samples collected more than 30 years ago, and references for body mass index (BMI) and pubertal development have not been established before.

Aims: To establish contemporary cross-sectional reference charts for height, weight, BMI, head circumference, and pubertal development from birth to 21 years of age, based on a representative sample of children from Flanders, Belgium.

Subjects and methods: 15 989 healthy subjects of Belgian origin, 0–25 years of age, were measured in 2002–2004. Growth curves were fitted with the LMS method, and percentiles for the pubertal development were estimated with generalized additive models on status quo data from 8690 subjects aged 6–22 years of age.

Results: A positive secular trend in height and weight is observed in children above 5 years of age. Adult median height has increased by 1.2 cm/decade in boys and 0.8 cm/decade in girls; median weight by 0.9 kg/decade in boys, and 1.0 kg/decade in girls, and the weight distribution became more skewed. The BMI curve is comparable to that of other populations, except for higher percentiles. This reflects the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity. Median age at menarche (13.0 years) has not advanced any more over the past 50 years. Median ages at menarche and B2 in girls and G2 or T4 in boys are comparable to other West European estimates, but approximately 10% enter G2/T4 before 9 years of age.

Conclusions: The ongoing secular trend in height and weight makes growth charts previously used in Belgium obsolete. New representative charts for growth and pubertal development are introduced. For weight monitoring, it is advised that the now-available BMI growth charts are used.     

Overweight and obesity in a rural Amerindian population in Oaxaca, Southern Mexico, 1968-2000.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate secular change in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a rural Zapotec Indian community in southern Mexico between 1968 and 2000. Cross-sectional surveys of children 6-13 years, adolescents 13-17 years, and adults 19 years of age and older resident in a rural community in Oaxaca were conducted in 1968/1971, 1978, and 2000. Individuals present in the 1968, 1978, and 2000 surveys provided a small longitudinal component. Height and weight were measured; the BMI was calculated. International criteria for overweight and obesity were used. Overweight and obesity were virtually absent in school children 6-13 years in 1968 and 1978 and in adolescents in 1978. Small proportions of children (boys, 5%; girls, 8%) and adolescents (boys, 3%; girls, 15%) were overweight in 2000; two children (1%) and no adolescents were obese. Among adults, 7% of males and 19% of females were overweight and <1% of males and 4% of females were obese in 1971/1978, but 46% of males and 47% of females were overweight; and 5% of males and 14% of females were obese in 2000. The trends for children, adolescents, and adults were confirmed in the longitudinal subsamples. In conclusion, overweight and obesity are not presently a major problem in children and adolescents in this rural Zapotec community. Overweight, in particular, and to a lesser extent obesity have increased in prevalence among adults since the late 1970s. The results suggest adulthood as a critical period for onset of overweight and obesity in this sample.     

Body Fat Percentile Curves for Korean Children and Adolescents: A Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2010

A valid assessment of obesity in children and adolescents is important due to significant change in body composition during growth. This study aimed to develop percentile curves of body fat and fat free mass using the Lambda, Mu, and Sigma method, and to examine the relationship among body mass index (BMI), fat mass and fat free mass in Korean children and adolescents, using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2009-2010. The study subjects were 834 for boys and 745 for girls aged between 10 and 18 yr. Fat mass and fat free mass were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The patterns of development in body fat percentage, fat mass and fat free mass differed for boys and girls, showing a decreased fat mass with an increased fat free mass in boys but gradual increases with age in girls. The considerable proportion of boys and girls with relatively normal fat mass appeared to be misclassified to be at risk of overweight based on the BMI criteria. Therefore, the information on the percentiles of body fat and fat free mass with their patterns would be helpful to complement assessment of overweight and obesity based on BMI for Korean children and adolescents.     

High prevalence of overweight and obesity among inner city Chinese children in Shanghai, 2011

Background: In China, the prevalence of overweight and obesity appears to be increasing at unacceptable levels among young people living in major cities undergoing rapid economic growth.

Objective: To report the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Shanghai inner city youth using the recently published International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) Asian definition.

Methods: Secondary analysis of children aged 8–15 years who participated in the Shanghai Schools’ Physical Fitness Examinations, a representative school-based survey. Height and weight were measured and body mass index (kg/m²) was calculated. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was determined using the IOTF children’s BMI cut-points for Asian populations, equivalent to an adult BMI of 23?kg/m² (overweight) and 27?kg/m² (obese).

Results: The prevalence of combined overweight and obesity was 49.1% for boys and 30.8% for girls aged 8–15-years. Almost one-in-five boys were obese, compared with 8.4% of girls. In boys the prevalence of overweight appeared to increase from age 10 years.

Conclusion: The high prevalence of combined overweight and obesity among urban Chinese youth, especially among boys, requires immediate health promotion intervention.     

Growth status of indigenous school children 6–14 years in the Tarahumara Sierra,Northern Mexico,in 1990 and 2007

Aims: The study evaluated the growth status and secular change in body size of indigenous Tarahumara children in northern Mexico.

Methods: Heights and weights of Tarahumara children 6–14 years were measured in 1990 (n = 601) and 2007 (n = 583); the BMI was calculated. International criteria defined weight status while United States reference data defined stunting.

Results: Estimated secular gains in height from 1990 to 2007 were greatest in 6–7 year-old boys and declined with age to a small, non-significant secular decline in boys 12–14 years. Among girls secular gains in height were similar at 6–7 and 8–9 years, largest at 10–11 years and small and non-significant at 12–14 years. Secular gains in weight were similar among 6–7 and 8–9 year-old boys and girls, were greater in girls than in boys at 10–11 years and showed a small, non-significant secular decline in boys and girls 12–14 years. Secular change in the BMI paralleled those for weight. The prevalence of stunting declined from 1990 to 2007 in both sexes and all age groups except 12–14 year youth. Overweight was more prevalent in girls than boys in both years and increased from 4% to 7% in boys and 9% to 13% in girls. Obesity was not common among boys and girls in each age group and in both years. Stunting and overweight/obesity were not related in either 1990 or 2007.

Conclusion: Positive secular changes in growth status have occurred in Tarahumara children 6–11 years in contrast to negligible changes among children 12–14 years. The results suggest recent improvements in health and nutrition sufficient to support a positive secular trend in younger children.     

Trends in weight,height, BMI and obesity in schoolchildren from Santa Rosa (Argentina), 1990–2005/07

Abstract

Aim: To assess secular changes in physical growth and the current prevalence and trend of overweight/obesity in Argentinian schoolchildren.

Subjects and methods: One thousand and forty-nine schoolchildren aged 6 and 12 years attending schools in 1990 were compared with an age-matched sample of 935 boys and girls collected between 2005–2007. Changes in weight, height and BMI by age between the surveys were analysed using one-way analysis of variance. Overweight and obesity were defined according to IOTF criteria and compared by Chi-squared test. Odds ratios (OR) and intervals of confidence (95% CI) were also calculated.

Results: Six and 12 year-old boys and girls were significantly heavier (1.2–3.2?kg) and had higher BMIs (0.7–1.0?kg/m²) in 2005–2007 than in 1990. Significant differences in height were seen in 6 year old boys (1.5?cm) and 12 year old girls (1.3?cm). Overweight and obesity increased by 4.4% (OR?=?1.4, 1.1–1.8) and 5.9% (OR?=?4.3, 2.8–6.5), respectively; obesity being higher in younger children.

Conclusion: The disharmonic secular change in weight and height has led to high overweight/obesity. The obesity increase is consistent with global and regional trends, indicating a shift in BMI distribution, especially at the higher centiles.     

Relationship of single measures of cardiorespiratory fitness and obesity in young schoolchildren.

The purpose of this study was to examine differences of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) among weight groups, and the associations of CRF with obesity (body mass index) in a sample of young children. Anthropometric data (height, body mass, and two skinfolds) were collected for 255 healthy children aged 8-10 years (127 boys and 128 girls). Children were placed in three groups (nonobese, overweight, and obese), using body mass index (BMI) sex- and age-specific cutoff points. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed with a 1-mile run test. Participants were separated into two groups: fit and unfit, according to age- and sex-specific scores defined by FITNESSGRAM. The prevalence of overweight (30.5% vs. 29.1%) and obesity (13.2% vs. 12.6%) was at the same magnitude for boys and girls. Overall, 109 children (42.7%) were overweight and obese. Sums of skinfolds, weight, and BMI were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in lean boys and girls compared to their overweight and obese counterparts. Regarding height, no significant differences were found in girls, while in boys, significant differences were only found between nonobese and obese. No differences were found in obesity groups according to CRF in boys, while significant differences were found for girls (P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that girls who were overweight (odds ratio = 0.05, P = 0.000) or obese (odds ratio = 0.09, P = 0.001) were likely to be unfit. No significant results were found in boys. Overweight and obese children presented higher sums of skinfolds and weight compared with their lean counterparts. Increased BMI was significantly associated with lower CRF in girls. Thus, our data clearly showed potential gender differences of body composition in CRF, which would be of great clinical significance. Therefore, even at young ages, at least for girls, the beneficial impact of low BMI values on CRF is shown with important clinical and public health implications.     

Is obesity a risk factor for childhood asthma?

Background: In adolescents and adults, an association between obesity and asthma was found in females. Does this sex‐specific association already exist in young children? Methods: Questionnaire data on 9357 5‐ and 6‐year‐old German children were collected in 1997 in two rural regions in Bavaria. The diagnosis of asthma, hay fever, and eczema was ascertained with the ISAAC core and other validated questions. Overweight was defined by a BMI of >90th and ≤97th percentile and obesity by a BMI of >97th percentile. Results: The lifetime prevalence of doctor's diagnosed asthma in girls was 3.5% (95% CI 2.9–4.1%) for normal weight, 5.8% (95% CI 3.2–8.4%) for overweight, and 10.3% (95% CI 5.3–15.2%) for obesity, whereas no relation to weight was found in boys. Hay fever and eczema were unrelated to weight in girls and boys. The adjusted odds ratio for asthma in girls was 2.12 (95% CI 1.22–3.68) for overweight and 2.33 (95% CI 1.13–4.82) for obesity. Conclusions: A sex‐specific association with doctor's diagnosed asthma was also observed in girls at school entry. Since this association was confined to doctor's diagnosed asthma in the absence of other atopic conditions, and no association with other atopic manifestations was found, we hypothesize that this association is related to factors other than atopic sensitization.     

Peer influence on children's physical activity: an experience sampling study

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to examine the associations between social context (the presence of peers, friends, and family members) and physical activity intensity for overweight and lean girls and boys. METHODS: Participants for this study included 10 boys (M = 13.4 years; SD = .8) and 10 girls (M = 13.8 years; SD =. 8). Twelve participants were between the 15th and the 85th BMI percentile (eight girls, four boys) and eight youth were at or above the 85th BMI percentile (six boys, two girls). Participants reported on their activity intensity and whether the activity was solitary or with others for seven consecutive days. RESULTS: Children were more likely to report more intense physical activity when in the company of peers or close friends. Overweight children reported greater physical activity when in the presence of peers than did lean children; however, overweight children also reported more time spent alone. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, findings highlight the importance of considering peer relationships in studies of physical activity and childhood "obesity".     

Trends in adiposity in Brazilian 7–10-year-old schoolchildren: evidence for increasing overweight but not obesity between 2002 and 2007

Background: The negative health consequences of childhood overweight/obesity (OW/OB) are well known. Therefore, an accurate monitoring of the OW/OB prevalence is essential. Anthropometry is the most practical and cost-effective method for nutritional status evaluation.

Aim: To describe trends in the nutritional status among 7–10-year-old children by investigating changes in the prevalence of stunting, thinness, overweight, obesity, risk and excess abdominal adiposity, and to study changes in height-for-age, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC).

Subjects and methods: A school-based sample of 7–10-year-old children participated in two cross-sectional studies in 2002 (n?=?2936) and 2007 (n?=?1232) in Florianopolis, southern Brazil. Prevalence of stunting, risk and excess abdominal adiposity and changes in the distribution of height-for-age, BMI-for-age, WC-for-age z-scores were evaluated. Three BMI-based references were used to define the prevalence of thinness, overweight and obesity.

Results: Between 2002–2007, the prevalence of stunting, thinness, obesity and excess abdominal adiposity remained stable, whereas overweight (including obesity) increased 10–23% in boys and 18–21% in girls, depending on the BMI reference used. The risk of abdominal adiposity increased in boys, but not in girls. No significant change was observed in mean height, BMI, WC-for-age z-scores.

Conclusions: This study identified a potential levelling off in the prevalence of obesity and excess abdominal adiposity, but a continuing increase in the prevalence of overweight.     

Growth patterns of school-children in Bahrain

The aim of this study is to assess physical growth of school children in Bahrain. Cross-sectional data on 1593 children (818 boys and 775 girls), aged 6.5 to 18.5 years were collected in 1986. Anthropometric measures included height, weight, mid-arm circumference, triceps, biceps, subscapular and suprailiac skinfold thickness. At all ages median (P50) heights and weights of Bahraini boys and girls are below the 50th percentiles of the North American reference standard (NCHS). Median heights of both Bahraini sexes falls between the 25th and 5th percentiles of the reference data. As for weight, the median of boys fluctuates between the 25th and 5th percentiles, while that of girls fluctuates between the 50th and 10th percentiles of the standard. When compared to the American standard, median triceps skinfold of Bahraini boys and girls falls between the 50th and 25th percentiles. The median arm circumference of both sexes is close to the 5th percentiles. In general, the skinfold measurements indicate a high subcutaneous fat store, suggesting a lack of muscle development. Health, genetic and other factors associated with growth patterns of Bahraini children are discussed.     

Obesity and upper body fat distribution in Mexican American children from families with a diabetic proband

Upper and centralized body fat distribution is associated with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Few studies have focused on anthropometric characteristics of preadults from families in which there is a diabetic (NIDDM) proband. This study explores the prevalence of upper and centralized body fatness in Mexican American children from the Diabetes Alert study (1981–1983) in Starr County, Texas. Anthropometric data on 165 males and 224 females 9–19 years include measures of adiposity such as skinfold thicknesses and the body mass index (BMI), a measure of overweight. They show rates of obesity two to three times that of White children of comparable age and sex from National Health Surveys. In comparison with U.S. White subjects, Mexican American adults are shorter, have more adiposity and arm muscle mass and have sitting heights and body breadths at the mean of these dimensions for the U.S. population. Children from Diabetes Alert families show only marginal excess of severe obesity (> 95th percentile of BMI) when compared to the general population of children surveyed in Starr County schools. Girls from these families, but not boys, have excess fatness in the BMI compared to Mexican American children from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES); suprailiac skinfold thicknesses are also greater in children of the Diabetes Alert study than in HHANES children. From 1972 through 1982, Mexican American children in South Texas showed an increase in average stature, weight, and the BMI. These data together suggest that excessive obesity exists and may be increasing in children in populations at risk for NIDDM. The prevention of NIDDM in the Mexican American population may be more effective if educational and promotional interventions include the school aged population. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

中国新疆地区哈萨克族7～18岁中小学生体重指数分布和超重肥胖筛查参考值的建立

目的建立中国新疆地区哈萨克族7～18岁中小学生超重和肥胖的体重指数（BMI）百分位曲线和界值点参考标准。方法采用横断面调查研究,在中国新疆阿勒泰市及其所属乡镇的中小学采用整群随机抽样方法抽取4所学校（共49个班级）同意参加调查的哈萨克族7～18岁中小学生为调查对象。采集性别、年龄、身高和体重测量资料;应用偏度-中位数-变异系数法建立哈萨克族7～18岁中小学生的BMI百分位曲线;利用儿童青少年超重和肥胖的BMI百分位数曲线在18岁通过国际肥胖工作小组（IOTF）定义的成人超重和肥胖BMI界值点（25kg·m^-2/30kg·m^-2）和中国肥胖问题工作组（WGOC）定义的界值点（24kg·m^-2和28kg·m^-2）的方法,计算出哈萨克族7～18岁各年龄超重和肥胖的BMI界值点。结果共采集7～18岁中小学生2487名,其中男1158名,女1329名。①按照IOTF标准,超重和肥胖的BMI百分位曲线：男性分别为P88.63和P98.28,女性分别为P84.41和P98.12;按照WGOC标准,超重和肥胖的BMI百分位数曲线：男性分别为P92.96和P99.28,女性分别为P90.53和P99.38。②哈萨克族男性超重和肥胖BMI标准曲线低于WGOC和IOTF标准;女性肥胖标准曲线13～14岁前低于WGOC和IOTF标准,之后略高于WGOC和IOTF标准。③哈萨克族男性超重、肥胖的界值百分位曲线均低于或接近的汉族和维吾尔族水平;哈萨克族女性超重界值百分位曲线在14岁前介于汉族和维吾尔族间,之后接近或达到汉族水平;肥胖界值百分位曲线在10岁前低于汉族和维吾尔族水平,14岁后达到或接近汉族水平。结论儿童青少年BMI分布有显著的地域差异和民族差异,哈萨克族中小学生超重和肥胖BMI界值标准不同于IOTF和WGOC所建议的相应标准。因此哈萨克族中小学生超重、肥胖人群的筛查可以参考本研究建立的标准。