Anthropometry of adolescent girls in Bahrain, including body fat distribution

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To determine anthropometric measurements of adolescent Bahraini girls, including obesity and fat composition. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A cross-sectional sample of 584 Bahraini girls aged 12-19 years, were selected from schools using multistage stratified sampling procedure. Fifteen anthropometric measurements were taken (weight, height, circumferences for upper arm, upper forearm, upper chest, chest, waist, hip, thigh and medial calf, triceps, biceps, subscapular and suprailiac). Body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio, sum of skinfold thickness and % body fat were also computed. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: The findings revealed a significant increase in all anthropometric measurements with increase in age. The mean weights for girls was higher than those reported in 1986 for the same age group, but no difference was observed in the mean heights, indicating a trend toward overweight. Using the 85th and 95th centiles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I (NHANESI) BMI distribution to define respectively overweight and obesity, the prevalence of overweight was 38.5% and of obesity was 6.3%. The means for BMI, waist/hip ratio, sum of skinfold thickness and % body fat were higher than those reported in many developed and developing countries. CONCLUSIONS: Bahraini adolescent girls have a higher proportion of body fat than their counterparts in many Western countries. This may contribute to some chronic diseases in adulthood. An intervention programme, therefore, is urgently needed to reduce overweight and obesity at childhood and adolescent stages.     

Anthropometry of adolescent girls in Bahrain,including body fat distribution

Primary objective : To determine anthropometric measurements of adolescent Bahraini girls, including obesity and fat composition. Methods and procedures: A cross-sectional sample of 584 Bahraini girls aged 12-19 years were selected from schools using multistage stratified sampling procedure. Fifteen anthropometric measurements were taken (weight, height, circumferences for upper arm, upper forearm, upper chest, chest, waist, hip, thigh and medial calf, triceps, biceps, subscapular and suprailiac). Body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio, sum of skinfold thickness and % body fat were also computed. Main outcomes and results: The findings revealed a significant increase in all anthropometric measurements with increase in age. The mean weights for girls was higher than those reported in 1986 for the same age group, but no difference was observed in the mean heights, indicating a trend toward overweight. Using the 85th and 95th centiles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I (NHANESI) BMI distribution to define respectively overweight and obesity, the prevalence of overweight was 38.5% and of obesity was 6.3%. The means for BMI, waist/hip ratio, sum of skinfold thickness and % body fat were higher than those reported in many developed and developing countries. Conclusions: Bahraini adolescent girls have a higher proportion of body fat than their counterparts in many Western countries. This may contribute to some chronic diseases in adulthood. An intervention programme, therefore, is urgently needed to reduce overweight and obesity at childhood and adolescent stages.     

纳西族成人各项肥胖指标与体脂率的关系

目的 探讨纳西族各项肥胖指标与体脂率的关系。 方法 选取云南省丽江市玉龙县687名18~90岁成年纳西族人,运用人体测量法和生物电阻抗法测量其体重、身高、胸围、腰围、臀围、肱二头肌皮褶、肱三头肌皮褶、肩胛下皮褶、髂嵴上皮褶、髂前上棘皮褶、体质量指数（BMI）、内脏脂肪等级和体脂率等指标,并将各项指标分别与体脂率进行统计分析。 结果 纳西族成人的平均体脂率男性为正常水平,女性属于肥胖。按照内脏脂肪等级为标准,纳西族男性和女性均在正常范围内。根据腰围的判断标准,纳西族男性腰围在正常范围内,而女性腰围属于腹型肥胖。相关分析表明,纳西族成人的体重、胸围、腰围、臀围、肱二头肌皮褶、肱三头肌皮褶、肩胛下皮褶、髂嵴上皮褶、髂前上棘皮褶、BMI、内脏脂肪等级与体脂率均成正相关。纳西族男性内脏脂肪等级与体脂率相关性最强,其次是BMI;纳西族女性胸围与体脂率相关性最强,其次是腰围。 结论 纳西族成人各项肥胖指标均与体脂率成正相关,相关程度存在性别、地区和民族差异。     

Anthropometry of 5-19-year-old Tongan children with special interest in the high prevalence of obesity among adolescent girls

BACKGROUND: Despite much concern about adult obesity among Pacific Islanders, childhood obesity has seldom been investigated. AIM: Based on the anthropometry of Tongan children aged 5-19 years, this study aims to elucidate age and sex differences in obesity prevalence calculated from BMI and its relation to body fat estimated by skinfold thicknesses. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 895 students, aged 5-19 years, in the most modernized island and a remote island, were measured for stature, body weight, circumferences at waist, hip and mid-upper arm, and skinfold thicknesses at biceps, triceps and subscapular. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was calculated using the reference data of the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity of Tongan adolescent girls defined by the IOTF and CDC references was 19.4% and 22.8%, respectively, being considerably higher than that of not only juvenile girls but also adolescent boys. Among adolescents, the girls' BMI was positively correlated with fat mass whereas in boys it was not. The sex difference in adolescents was parallel to that in adults, being attributable to gender differences in daily behavioural patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Among Tongan adolescents, obesity prevalence in girls was much higher than in boys, in association with fat accumulation in the former.     

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 regional fat distribution in Kenyan populations: Impact of ethnicity and urbanization

Background: Obesity is increasing rapidly in Africa, and may not be associated with the same changes in body composition among different ethnic groups in Africa.

Objective: To assess abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat thickness, prevalence of obesity, and differences in body composition in rural and urban Kenya.

Subjects and methods: In a cross-sectional study carried out among Luo, Kamba and Maasai in rural and urban Kenya, abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat thicknesses were measured by ultrasonography. Height and weight, waist, mid-upper arm circumferences, and triceps skinfold thickness were measured. Body mass index (BMI), arm fat area (AFA) and arm muscle area (AMA) were calculated.

Results: Among 1430 individuals (58.3% females) aged 17–68 years, abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat, BMI, AFA and waist circumference (WC) increased with age, and were highest in the Maasai and in the urban population. AMA was only higher with increasing age among males. The prevalence of overweight (BMI ≥ 25) (39.8% vs. 15.8%) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30) (15.5% vs. 5.1%) was highest in the urban vs. rural population.

Conclusion: Abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat thickness was higher with urban residency. A high prevalence of overweight and obesity was found. The Maasai had the highest overall fat accumulation.     

G-protein β3 Subunit Gene Splice Variant and Body Fat Distribution in Nunavut Inuit

The GNB3 825T allele encodes a product that has enhanced activation of heterotrimeric G proteins in vitro and could play a role in adipogenesis. We therefore evaluated the possibility that the GNB3 825T allele was associated with obesity in a sample of 213 healthy Canadian Inuit. We found that body weight, body mass index, waist girth, hip girth, subscapular skinfold thickness, and triceps skinfold thickness were significantly higher in subjects with the GNB3 825T/T genotype than in subjects with other genotypes. Furthermore, two anthropometric ratios, namely that of waist to hip circumference and that of subscapular to triceps skinfold thickness, were not significantly different across genotypes. This suggested that the increased deposition of fat in subjects with the GNB3 825T/T genotype was generalized and not localized to particular subregions. There was no association of this genetic variation with blood pressure. The GNB3 825T/T genotype accounted for between 1.6% and 3.3% of the total variation (< or =13% of attributable variation) of the obesity-related traits. The potential for a genetic marker of obesity creates opportunities for future studies in the Inuit, not just to confirm the associations, but also to examine prospectively the influence of interventions and possible relationships between GNB3 825T and longer term complications of obesity.     

Population and sex differences in arm circumference and skinfold thicknesses among Indo-Pakistani children living in the East Midlands of Britain.

Arm circumference, triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses of 2224 Indo-Pakistani children aged 3-10.9 years living in Nottingham and Leicestershire were measured. The children were classified into populations according to country of origin, and religion, prior to analysis. Significant between-population differences were shown for all three variables, the effect being stronger in males than in females. Sex differences in arm circumference and triceps skinfold thickness were greater than those found in the British reference populations, whilst the patterns of fat distribution differed from the British standards for all the Indo-Pakistani populations, male and female.     

The risk analysis of arm fat area in Turkish children and adolescents

Aim: The study examined the risk factors associated with arm fat area (AFA) in Turkish children and adolescents. Methods and samples: This study was conducted with 5358 (2621 boys, 2737 girls) children and adolescents aged 6–17 years. Height, weight, waist circumference, mid-upper arm circumference and triceps skinfold thickness were measured. Body mass index, fat percentage, waist-to-height ratio, and AFA were calculated. A questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic data. For age- and gender-specific AFA, three groups were created by percentiles (underweight<5th, healthy weight≥5–84.99th, overweight≥85th percentiles). Multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the risk factors. Results: For the entire group, underweight and overweight prevalences were 4.7% and 14.9%, respectively. The body-size variables increased across age in Turkish boys and girls. The most significant risk factors for AFA were shown to be appetite, sleep duration, household income, and elevator use. Conclusion: AFA can be a significant index, in combination with other well-known anthropometric indices, in determining nutritional status.     

6～8岁骨龄不同体型女性儿童体脂率测量方法比较

目的比较6~8岁骨龄段女性儿童不同的体脂率测量方法的效果,尝试建立适合我国该骨龄段女性儿童的皮褶厚度推算体脂率公式。方法抽样选取59名6~8岁骨龄段女性儿童,依据身体质量指数(BMI)分组标准分为偏瘦组、正常组和超重组3个组别,分别采用双能量X线吸收法(DEXA)、皮褶厚度法、生物电阻抗法(BIA)测试每位受试者的体脂率,以DEXA测量结果为校标,比较上述方法在推测和测量全身体脂率的差异水平。并以皮褶厚度法建立体脂率推测公式。结果对6~8岁骨龄段女性儿童正常组和超重组,BIA法与DEXA测量结果之间相关显著;日本长岭公式显著高估6~8岁骨龄段偏瘦组和正常组女性儿童的体脂率,姚兴家公式显著低估了超重组女性儿童的体脂率,而元田恒公式显著高估了3种体型女性儿童的体脂率;本研究得出皮褶厚度法推算体脂率公式为:全身体脂率=3.919+0.715×髂嵴上部皮褶+0.592×肱三头肌部皮褶。结论相对于以日本长岭公式、元田恒公式、姚兴家公式进行的皮褶厚度推算法,生物电阻抗手段更能有效测量6~8岁骨龄段女性儿童正常和超重群体体脂率;髂嵴上部和肱三头肌部皮褶厚度能联合评价6~8岁骨龄段女性儿童全身体脂率。     

Effects of training on body composition and subcutaneous fat distribution in women gymnasts

Repeated measurements of body composition and subcutaneous fat distribution were obtained in female gymnasts to test the hypothesis of a selective response from localized fat deposits to intense physical training. Repeated measurements were obtained on the members of three nationally ranked collegiate gymnastic teams: at the beginning and peak of the training season. The highest ranked team was measured a third time, three weeks after the end of the competitive season. Body composition was estimated using anthropometry and bioelectric impedance; subcutaneous fat thickness was measured using skinfold calipers and ultrasound images of adipose tissue thickness (ATT). The mean difference between baseline and peak measurements were statistically significant (P ? .05) for the triceps and suprailiac skinfolds, and for the adipose tissue thickness at the suprailiac and hypogastric sites. There were no significant changes in weight, percentage of body fat, circumferences, or subcutaneous fat thickness at the subscapular, calf or medial thigh sites. In the team with three sets of measurements, only the triceps skinfold and the suprailiac ATT showed a statistically significant effect of training. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Factor analysis of risk variables associated with metabolic syndrome in Asian Indian adolescents.

The purpose of the present cross-sectional study was to identify components of risk variables associated with metabolic syndrome in Asian Indian adolescents. The sample included 400 adolescents (boys = 200; mean age, 15.0 +/- 4.5 years; girls = 200; mean age, 14.4 +/- 3.8 years) from Calcutta, India. The following variables were considered: body mass index, waist circumference, sum of four skinfolds, subscapular/triceps ratio, total cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose, and systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure. Principal component factor analysis revealed four uncorrelated factors for adolescent boys that cumulatively explained 76.3% of the observed variance of metabolic syndrome. Four factors with overlap between factors 1 and 2 were observed for adolescent girls that cumulatively explained 74.3% of the total variation of metabolic syndrome. The four factors identified were central body fat distribution (factor 1), centralized subcutaneous fat (factor 2), lipids-blood glucose (factor 3), and blood pressure (factor 4). Furthermore, the first two factors, i.e., central body fat distribution and centralized subcutaneous fat, cumulatively explained more than 46% (46.5% for boys; 46.4% for girls) of the observed variation of metabolic syndrome. Since more than one factor was identified for metabolic syndrome, more than one physiological mechanism could account for the clustering of risk variables of metabolic syndrome in Asian Indian adolescents. Factor analysis of Asian Indian adults also revealed four uncorrelated factors, similar to the present factors, therefore warranting intervention as early as adolescence.     

Cardiorespiratory fitness effect may be under-estimated in ‘fat but fit’ hypothesis studies

Background: Both cardiorespiratory fitness and body fat have been independently related to metabolic syndrome in adolescents; however, the strength of these relationships seems to be dependent on the outcome composition.

Aim: To analyse the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and body fat combined with different indicators of metabolic risk in adolescents.

Subjects and methods: The sample was composed of 957 adolescents (58.7% girls). Cardiorespiratory fitness was obtained using the 20-metre shuttle run test and skinfold thickness was collected for body fat estimation. Metabolic risk score was calculated from waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glucose, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides measurements and an alternative outcome without the central obesity indicator was adopted. Chronological age and somatic maturity were used as covariates.

Results: Higher metabolic risk was observed in the highest fat/lowest fit adolescents (p?Conclusion: These findings suggest that body fat is strongly related to cardiovascular risk, but, when the outcome is calculated without the central obesity indicator, cardiorespiratory fitness becomes more related to metabolic risk.     

Are immunoglobulin concentrations associated with the body composition of adolescents?

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between serum concentrations of immunoglobulins (Ig) A, G, and M and body composition of adolescents from Mexico. Informed consent was obtained from parents and assent was obtained from the adolescents for the evaluation of 125 adolescents from the Capital city of Toluca and the adjacent semiurban county of Lerma de Villada. Height, weight, waist, and hip circumference were measured by trained personnel. Body mass index and waist:hip ratio were calculated from these measurements, whereas body fat (BF) was calculated from tricipital and subscapular skinfolds and measured by bioelectrical impedance. Serum concentrations of Ig were determined by nephelometry. Data were analyzed by independent samples t test and Pearson correlations. Subjects were mainly females (71.2%), with a mean age of 16.8 years (±0.8). No differences were reported in all indicators by weight or BF between gender. Female participants had higher Ig concentrations than males (IgG t = 2.24, p = 0.027; IgA t = 2.05, p = 0.043; IgM t = 4.49, p < 0.001). Positive correlations were reported for IgA and IgM with tricipital skinfold (r = 0.192, p = 0.041; and r = 0.221, p = 0.018, respectively) and for total BF by bioimpedance (r = 0.243, p = 0.009). Ig concentrations do not seem to be affected by overweight, obesity, or excessive or central BF in adolescents.     

Obesity is associated with insulin resistance and components of the metabolic syndrome in Lebanese adolescents

Background: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in obese adolescents has been reported to range between 18–42%, depending on country of origin, thus suggesting an ethnic-based association between obesity and MS.

Aim: This study aims to investigate the magnitude of the association between obesity, insulin resistance and components of MS among adolescents in Lebanon.

Subjects and methods: The sample included 263 adolescents at 4^th and 5^th Tanner stages of puberty (104 obese; 78 overweight; 81 normal weight). Anthropometric, biochemical and blood pressure measurements were performed. Body fat was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Results: According to International Diabetes Federation criteria, MS was identified in 21.2% of obese, 3.8% of overweight and 1.2% of normal weight subjects. The most common metabolic abnormalities among subjects having MS were elevated waist circumference (96.2%), low HDL (96.2%) and hypertriglyceridemia (73.1%). Insulin resistance was identified in all subjects having MS. Regression analyses showed that percentage body fat, waist circumference and BMI were similar in their ability to predict the MS in this age group.

Conclusions: MS was identified in a substantial proportion of Lebanese obese adolescents, thus highlighting the importance of early screening for obesity-associated metabolic abnormalities and of developing successful multi-component interventions addressing adolescent obesity.     

Apolipoprotein polymorphisms and phenotypic variability in American Samoans: Preliminary data

Human apolipoprotein genetic variation is associated with phenotypic variability in body habitus and in lipid and glucose metabolism, interrelated aspects of human physiology. In this study, structural variation at the apolipoprotein E and H loci, documented for 67 residents of American Samoa, was investigated for associations with body habitus, plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, pulse rate, and blood pressure. Compared to men with the common APO E*3 allele, those with APO E*2 had higher weight, percent trunk fat, ratio of subscapular to triceps skinfold, and larger subscapular, suprailiac, and medial calf skinfolds; men with the APO E*4 allele had lower weight, body mass index (BMI), upper arm circumference, estimated arm muscle circumference, and a smaller suprailiac skinfold. Such variability by apolipoprotein E types was not observed in Samoan women nor when men and women were combined for analysis with or without statistical control for sex. At the APO H locus, little difference in aspects of body habitus was observed between men carrying the most common APO H*2 allele and the less common APO H*1 allele. Percent trunk fat and the subscapular to triceps skinfold ratio tended to be larger in women with the APO H*1 allele. Plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin were lower in Samoans with the APO E*2 and E*4 alleles, but higher in those with the APO H*1 allele. Blood pressure and pulse rate were lower and higher, respectively, in those with the APO E*4 allele. The observed associations differ from those observed in Caucasian, Japanese, and Hispanic samples, and support suggestions that associations between apolipoprotein polymorphisms and morphological measures vary across ethnic groups. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Body size,form, composition,and a healthy lifestyle associates with health-related quality of life among Portuguese children

Objectives

This study aimed to describe the relationship between body size, form, and composition, and children's lifestyle on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods

This cross-sectional study comprised 1333 children (9.05 ± 0.75 years; 683 females) living in mainland Portugal. Objective anthropometric measures were collected. Parents answered a standardized questionnaire related with children's lifestyle (e.g., sport participation, screen- and sleep-time) and family socioeconomic status (e.g., parental education). HRQoL was measured using the Portuguese version of the KIDSCREEN-27. Scores were categorized into low and high using a sex-specific normative cut-off from European children. A healthier score was created including positive scores for body weight, abdominal obesity, sport participation, sleep- and screen-time.

Results

Body size, form and composition were correlated with children's physical wellbeing. However, sex differences were found in which parameters were associated with wellbeing. Among boys, the body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, subscapular and suprailiac skinfold were most correlated with wellbeing, while waist circumference and subscapular skinfold showed the strongest correlations for girls. Sleep duration and sport participation revealed a significant relationship with girls' HRQoL. A logistic regression analysis (adjusted for parental education) revealed that boys scoring 4 or 5 in the healthier index had an increased likelihood of high HRQoL level compared to those fulfilling none.

Conclusions

Future programs aimed at reducing obesity, particularly central obesity, and incorporating multiple health indicators and behaviors, such as sport participation and sleep duration may help improve children's health and wellbeing.     

Parity,adiposity, and body fat distribution among Hispanic women

The relationship between parity and body fat distribution was investigated in a sample of 1,590 Mexican American, 411 Cuban American, and 657 Puerto Rican women, aged 20–74 years. Participants were interviewed and examined as part of the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of Hispanic populations residing in the United States. In each ethnic group, there was an increase with greater parity in overall body fat (body mass index [BMI], or triceps plus subscapular skinfolds), central vs. peripheral skinfold thicknesses (subscapular/triceps ratio), and upper vs. lower body skinfold thicknesses (subscapular/calf ratio). These positive associations remained after adjusting for age, income, marital status, smoking, menopausal status, and education. They were statistically significant only in the Mexican American group. After controlling for the BMI, the association between parity and the subscapular/ calf ratio remained significant in Mexican Americans, suggesting a relationship between parity and upper body fat distribution independent of body size. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Application of alternative anthropometric measurements to predict metabolic syndrome

OBJECTIVE:

The association between rarely used anthropometric measurements (e.g., mid-upper arm, forearm, and calf circumference) and metabolic syndrome has not been proven. The aim of this study was to assess whether mid-upper arm, forearm, calf, and waist circumferences, as well as waist/height ratio and waist-to-hip ratio, were associated with metabolic syndrome.

METHODS:

We enrolled 387 subjects (340 women, 47 men) who were admitted to the obesity outpatient department of Istanbul Medeniyet University Goztepe Training and Research Hospital between September 2010 and December 2010. The following measurements were recorded: waist circumference, hip circumference, waist/height ratio, waist-to-hip ratio, mid-upper arm circumference, forearm circumference, calf circumference, and body composition. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure plasma glucose, lipids, uric acid, insulin, and HbA1c.

RESULTS:

The odds ratios for visceral fat (measured via bioelectric impedance), hip circumference, forearm circumference, and waist circumference/hip circumference were 2.19 (95% CI, 1.30-3.71), 1.89 (95% CI, 1.07-3.35), 2.47 (95% CI, 1.24-4.95), and 2.11(95% CI, 1.26-3.53), respectively. The bioelectric impedance-measured body fat percentage correlated with waist circumference only in subjects without metabolic syndrome; the body fat percentage was negatively correlated with waist circumference/hip circumference in the metabolic syndrome group. All measurements except for forearm circumference were equally well correlated with the bioelectric impedance-measured body fat percentages in both groups. Hip circumference was moderately correlated with bioelectric impedance-measured visceral fat in subjects without metabolic syndrome. Muscle mass (measured via bioelectric impedance) was weakly correlated with waist and forearm circumference in subjects with metabolic syndrome and with calf circumference in subjects without metabolic syndrome.

CONCLUSION:

Waist circumference was not linked to metabolic syndrome in obese and overweight subjects; however, forearm circumference, an unconventional but simple and appropriate anthropometric index, was associated with metabolic syndrome and bioelectric impedance-measured visceral fat, hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio.     

Obesity correlates with increased blood pressures in urban native American youth

Although obesity is a growing problem with Native American youth living on reservations, little research has been conducted examining the prevalence of obesity and correlations between age, body composition, dietary intake, and blood pressures (BP) for urban Native youth. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of these variables in urban Native American youth. Height and weight were measured for 155 Native American youth, age 5–18 years, and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated and classified into percentile categories. Skinfold thicknesses at the biceps, triceps, suprailiac, and subscapular sites, arm and waist circumferences, and systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures were also measured. There was a high proportion of obesity (>95 percentile) for youth in all age groups. The prevalence was 38% for the 5–10‐year‐olds and 45% for the 11–18‐year‐olds youth. There were no significant correlations between SBP and DBP and dietary variables. Mean SBP and DBP increased with increasing BMI percentiles. Stepwise regression analyses showed that waist circumference, age, and BMI were strong predictors for SBP, while waist circumference and age were predictors for DBP in the total sample. The findings suggest that overweight/obesity is very prevalent among urban Native American youth and the increased adiposity is associated with increased SBP and DBP. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 15:78–90, 2003. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.