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.     

Socio‐economic and ethnic differences in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school children

Aims: To trial the collection of measurements to provide population‐based prevalence of overweight and obesity in school children in western Sydney and examine the association between healthy weight and ethnicity and socio‐economic status (SES) in a socio‐economically and culturally diverse population. Methods: A cross‐sectional population‐based survey of 2341 children in Years 4 and 7 (mean ages 9 and 12 years, respectively) in 2007. Results: Nineteen per cent of children were overweight and a further 6% were obese. The prevalence of combined overweight and obesity was similar for boys and girls (26% vs. 24%, P= 0.35). SES was significantly associated with the prevalence of unhealthy weight: the odds of being overweight or obese were 1.79 times (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.35 to 2.36) higher for children from the lowest quartile than for children from the highest quartile. Compared to children from an English speaking background, children from a non‐English speaking background were significantly more likely to be overweight or obese (21% vs. 31%, P < 0.001). The prevalence of combined overweight and obesity was significantly higher for children from a Pacific Island (odds ratio (OR) 2.66, 95% CI 1.63 to 4.33), Middle Eastern (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.17) or European (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.49) background than for English speaking background children. Conclusion: Large jumps in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children observed from the 1980s appear to be diminishing, with comparable prevalence reports in 2004 and 2007. Ethnicity and SES are each independently associated with the prevalence of unhealthy weight in children.     

A comparative study of prevalence of overweight and obesity in children in different provinces of Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Saudi children from different provinces of the country and in different age groups. A total of 12,701 children (6,281 boys and 6,420 girls) with ages ranging from 1 to 18 years were enrolled during a household screening programme in different provinces of Saudi Arabia and height and weight were recorded. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated and applying age and sex specific cut-off points for BMI the children were grouped into overweight and obese. The overall prevalence of overweight was 10.68 and 12.7 per cent and that of obesity was 5.98 and 6.74 per cent in the boys and girls, respectively. In the different provinces the prevalence of overweight ranged from 8.8 to 27.4 per cent and from 9.3 to 27.6 per cent and obesity ranged from 4.7 to 10.4 per cent and from 4.3 to 13.8 per cent in the boys and girls, respectively. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was also calculated after grouping the children into 17 groups according to age. It is concluded that overweight and obesity occur in all provinces of Saudi Arabia although at a variable prevalence. In general, girls have a higher prevalence of both overweight and obesity compared with boys. Eastern province children have the highest prevalence and the Southern province children have the lowest prevalence of overweight and obesity. When grouped according to age, overweight and obesity tend to increase with age. Suggestions are made to prevent overweight and obesity development in Saudi children.     

The prevalence of obesity in singapore primary school children

The purpose of this study is to survey the prevalence of obesity in Singapore primary school children from 1976 to 1980. The number of children screened comprised of 221,988 in primary I and 218,104 in primary VI. The male to female ratio was 1.04:1. Obesity is defined as body weight above 120% of Harvard standard weight for height. The overall prevalence rate was 3.51% with a significantly higher rate in boys (3.95%) than in girls (3.06%), p less than 0.0001. This sex difference prevailed in both the primary I and primary VI group. Furthermore, primary VI students had a higher prevalence rate (4.29%) compared to the primary I students (2.75%) p less than 0.0001. The prevalence rates were rising over the years with a rate of 5.33% in 1980 compared to that in 1976 (1.80%). Our observations suggest that the problem of obesity is an increasing one. The tendency to become obese increases with age and boys are more prone to obesity.     

The prevalence of obesity in Singapore primary school children

ABSTRACT. The purpose of this study is to survey the prevalence of obesity in Singapore primary school children from 1976 to 1980. The number of children screened comprised of 221,988 in primary I and 218,104 in primary VI. The male to female ratio was 1.04:1. Obesity is defined as body weight above 120% of Harvard standard weight for height. The overall prevalence rate was 3.51% with a significantly higher rate in boys (3.95%) than in girls (3.06%), p < 0.0001. This sex difference prevailed in both the primary I and primary VI group. Furthermore, primary VI students had a higher prevalence rate (4.29%) compared to the primary I students (2.75%) p < 0.0001. The prevalence rates were rising over the years with a rate of 5.33% in 1980 compared to that in 1976 (1.80%). Our observations suggest that the problem of obesity is an increasing one. The tendency to become obese increases with age and boys are more prone to obesity.     

Prevalence of overweight and obesity among school children and adolescents in Chennai

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Chennai, India, using national and international age- and sex- specific body mass index (BMI) cut-off points.

Methods

The Obesity Reduction and Awareness and Screening of Non communicable diseases through Group Education in Children and Adolescents (ORANGE) project is a cross-sectional study carried out on 18,955 children (age 6–11 years) and adolescents (age 12–17 years) across 51 schools (31 private and 20 government) of Chennai. Overweight and obesity was classified by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF 2000) and Khadilkar’s criteria (2012), and Hypertension by the IDF criteria (in children ≥10 years and adolescents).

Results

The prevalence of overweight/obesity was significantly higher in private compared to government schools both by the IOTF criteria [private schools: 21.4%, government schools: 3.6%, (OR: 7.4, 95% CI:6.3–8.6; P<0.001) and by Khadilkar criteria (private school: 26.4%, government schools: 4.6% OR: 6.9, 95% CI:6.2–7.8; P<0.001). Overweight/obesity was higher among girls (IOTF: 18%, Khadilkar: 21.3%) compared to boys (IOTF: 16.2%, Khadilkar: 20.7%) and higher among adolescents (IOTF: 18.1%, Khadilkar: 21.2%) compared to children (IOTF: 15.5%, Khadilkar: 20.7%). Prevalence of hypertension was 20.4% among obese/overweight and 5.2% among non-obese (OR 4.7, 95%CI: 4.2–5.3, P<0.001).

Conclusion

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is high among private schools in Chennai, and hypertension is also common.     

Overweight and obesity prevalence in children and adolescents from a private school in Recife

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in students from a private school in Recife; compare the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity in boys and girls and in different age groups (children and adolescents) and verify the correlation between body mass index and triceps skinfold thickness in this population. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 762 students (332 children and 430 adolescents) from a middle/upper class school in Recife, in 1999. Overweight was defined as body mass index equal or above the 85th percentile for age and gender. Obesity was defined as body mass index and triceps skinfold thickness equal or above the 85th percentile. RESULTS: The prevalence rates were 26.2% (95%CI = 23 to 29%) for overweight, and 8.5% (CI95% = 6.5 to 10.5%) for obesity. Overweight was more prevalent among children (34.3%) than among adolescents (20.0%) (P<0.001). Obesity was more frequent among children (14.2%) than among adolescents (4.2%) (P<0.001). The prevalence of overweight in boys (34.6%) was higher than in girls (20.6%) (P<0.001). The prevalence of obesity was also higher in boys (14.7%) than in girls (4.4%) (P<0.001). The correlation coefficient between body mass index and triceps skinfold thickness was equal to 0.64 (95%CI = 0.60 to 0.68). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of overweight in our study population was as high as that found in industrialized countries; obesity, however, was less frequent.     

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in primary school children in Port Said city

BackgroundThe highest prevalence rates of childhood obesity have been observed in developed countries, however, its prevalence is increasing in developing countries as well.ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among primary school children, aged from 6 to 12 years and to estimate risk factors of obesity and overweight, defined by body mass index (BMI).MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out at Port Said city during the second term of school year 2010/2011. The researcher took the anthropometric measurements inside the nurse’s room in the school and gave a questionnaire to the students to be answered by one of the child’s parents. The questionnaire included questions related to socioeconomic status, life style (physical activity and eating habits) and family history of overweight and obesity.ResultsEight hundred and fifty-two students participated in this study. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 17.7% and 13.5% respectively. The rate of obesity was the highest at the age of 7–8 years (grade 2) and decreased with an increase in age, while overweight increased with an increase in age to be the highest at the age of 9–10 (grade 4) and 10–11 (grade 5). Socioeconomic class, faulty dietary habits, sedentary life, low level of physical activity and positive family history of overweight and/or obesity were significantly associated with student’s BMI.ConclusionThis study found a relatively high prevalence of overweight and obesity among children aged 6–12 years in Port Said city. Decreased rate of obesity with an increase in age in our study, signifies that faulty feeding habits were the highest at lower ages.     

Prevalence of obesity and overweight in urban school children in Kerala,India

The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of obesity and overweight in urban school children in Kochi, Kerala, South India. Three schools from the city were selected representing upper, middle and lower socioeconomic groups and the children aged 6-15 years of age were interviewed. The prevalence of obesity was 3.0% for boys and 5.3% for girls. The prevalence of obesity (7.5%) and overweight (21.9%) were highest among high income group and lowest (1.5% and 2.5%) among low income group. Prevalence of obesity and overweight was found to be higher in the high income group and among girls.     

Breast-feeding and overweight in Singapore school children

Background:  Studies from developed Western countries have shown inconsistent associations between breast-feeding and overweight/obesity in children and adolescents. Few data are available from Asian populations. The purpose of the present study was therefore to evaluate the association between breast-feeding and overweight/obesity in a study of 10–12-year-old children in Singapore.
Methods:  A total of 797 school children (49% girls, 76% Chinese) who participated in the Singapore Cohort Study of the Risk Factors for Myopia (SCORM) were examined. Overweight/obesity ( n  = 179) was defined as age–sex-specific body mass index (BMI) cut-offs corresponding to BMI of 25 kg/m² for overweight and 30 kg/m² for obesity at age 18 based on the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) reference.
Results:  The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 22.5%. Overall, breast-feeding was not found to be associated with overweight/obesity. After adjusting for potential confounders, the multivariable odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of overweight/obesity was 1.14 (0.80–1.63) for ever breast-fed compared with never breast-fed, 1.00 (0.57–1.72) for breast-fed for >3 months compared to ≤3 months and 0.79 (0.47–1.34) for exclusive/mostly breast-fed compared to partly breast-fed.
Conclusions:  No significant associations were detected among breast-feeding, its type, and duration with overweight/obesity in this Asian cohort of 10–12-year-old children.     

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.     

High prevalence of overweight and obesity among 6-year-old children in Finnmark County, North Norway

Aim: The aim was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among 6‐year‐old children in Finnmark, the northernmost county of Norway. Methods: This is a survey of 1774 children born during 1999 and 2000 from 18 of 19 child healthcare centres in Finnmark. Body mass index data extracted retrospectively in 2007 from health records at the age of 6 years were compared with international definitions of over‐ and underweight. The prevalence figures were further compared with socio‐demographic figures on municipality level. Results: Overall, 19% of the children were classified as overweight or obese; 5% were classified as obese. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher among girls (22%) than among boys (16%) (p < 0.01). The prevalence of underweight was 8% among both girls and boys. Despite large variations in the prevalence of overweight and obesity between municipalities (9–35%), no association was found with municipality figures on socio‐demographic factors. Conclusion: In the northernmost county Finnmark, the prevalence of overweight including obesity among 6‐year‐old children was somewhat higher than in previous surveys from Norway, especially among girls.     

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.     

Study of overweight and obesity in a population of urban school children in Sousse, Tunisia]

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of obesity and overweight and their relationship with cardiovascular disease risk factors. METHODS: Epidemiological survey based on a representative sample of 1569 urban school children of Sousse, Tunisia. RESULTS: Overweight (BMI > or = 25) was significantly higher in girls (16.1%) than in boys (11.6%); (chi 2 = 8.2; p = 0.004). Obesity (BMI > or = 30) was slightly higher in girls (3.7%) than in boys (2.7%); (chi 2 = 0.89; p = 0.34). Girls had significantly higher BMI, diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels than boys who had however significantly higher levels of systolic blood pressure. Overweight was significantly higher in children who did not practice sport at school: 22 versus 13.1% (p < 0.002), in groups of youngsters who were not affiliated to school sport or city associations. Overweight children had a significantly higher levels of cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and means of systolic and diastolic blood pressures. CONCLUSION: These results will serve to set up a regional program of health promotion at schools.