不同方法评价乌鲁木齐市新市区儿童青少年超重和肥胖及其体成分差异

目的 分析乌鲁木齐市新市区6~15岁儿童青少年体成分的发育规律及其在超重肥胖儿童青少年间的差异;探讨体重指数(BMI)及体脂两种方法评定超重肥胖的不同,对早期发现儿童青少年超重肥胖及制定改善措施提供参考。方法 2019年1月纳入乌鲁木齐市儿童青少年907人;采用儿童青少年体成分分析仪测量体成分、计算BMI-Z分值;超重肥胖评定参考WS/T586-2018。结果 6~15岁儿童青少年除男生体脂率外,男女生各体成分指标随年龄变化均存在线性趋势(P<0.05),BMI-Z评分男生高于女生(P<0.05);男生体脂百分比随年龄增长呈先上升后下降变化,女生在11岁时体脂百分比(BFP)超过男生(P<0.05)。BMI及BFP评价超重率及肥胖率分别为11.5%和9.0%、14.1%和20.5%;其中BMI正常组有7.6%和3.1%的少儿BFP评定为超重和肥胖;在BMI超重组有49.5%的少儿BFP评定为肥胖。各体成分在超重与肥胖组均高于正常组(P<0.05)。结论 儿童青少年体成分随年龄增长而增加且有性别及年龄差异;不同方法评定超重肥胖率略有不同,提示BMI评定肥胖标准易低估体脂胖肥儿童青少年;其超重和肥胖组各体成分均高于正常组。     

Factors associated with obesity among adolescents]

INTRODUCTION: Obesity during adolescence is considered a strong predictor of adult obesity. The present study assessed the overweight/obesity prevalence and associated factors in middle class adolescents of a school in the city of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and evaluated the correlation between body mass index with anthropometric measures of fatness. METHOD: The analysis covered 391 students aged from 15 to 17 years. Adolescents had their weight, height, skinfold thickness and upper arm circumference measured at school. A food frequency questionnaire (list of 79 items) and a questionnaire including food habits, parents anthropometric characteristics, physical activity and other factors associated with obesity were filled out by the adolescents at school. RESULTS: The proportion of overweight individuals among boys (Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than the 90th percentile of the Brazilian population) was 23.9%, whereas the prevalence among girls was 7.2%. The fact of being on a slimming diet was a relevant factor for the prediction of BMI and was 7 times more frequent among girls than among boys. Among boys, being on a diet, absence of breakfast, and family body appearance were positively associated with BMI. Among girls these variables were also significantly associated, whereas age at menarche was negatively associated with BMI. Hours of watching TV/video/video-game was associated with BMI only among boys. The correlation coefficient between BMI and measures of fatness varied from 0.7 to 0.9 for boys, and from 0.8 to 0.90 for girls. CONCLUSIONS: BMI appears to be a good indicator of obesity among adolescents and showed that girls demonstrated an exaggerated preoccupation with body image and stereotyped slim body patterns.     

合肥市某中学超重、肥胖与不同性别初中学生心理健康水平的相关性

目的了解超重、肥胖与男女初中学生生活满意度、抑郁、焦虑、自我意识水平之间的相关性。方法对象为合肥市某中学1818名初一和初二学生,用多维学生生活满意度量表、流行病学调查中心用抑郁量表、特质焦虑量表和儿童自我意识量表及相应的评价标准进行心理健康评定,同时测量身高、体重,计算体重指数(BMI)值。参考中国儿童青少年超重和肥胖筛查BMI值分类标准进行分组,分析男女生及体重正常、超重、肥胖组学生心理健康状况的差异以及男女生BMI与4个量表评分的相关性。结果男生超重和肥胖检出率(21．5%和7．7%)显著高于女生(8．0%和2．8%)。体重正常组生活满意度评分的性别差异有统计学意义(P=0．002),超重组抑郁评分的性别差异有统计学意义(P=0．046)。在女生中,体重正常、超重和肥胖3组的抑郁、特质焦虑和自我意识评分的差异均有统计学意义(P＜0．05),肥胖组抑郁和焦虑评分显著高于体重正常组(P=0．012和P=0．035),肥胖组自我意识评分低于体重正常组(P=0．014),超重组抑郁评分高于体重正常组(P=0．025)。结论超重、肥胖检出率女生低于男生,但女生超重和肥胖者心理健康水平与体重正常者的差别较男生明显。     

Obesity rates among rural Ontario schoolchildren

BACKGROUND: The majority of existing studies of obesity risk among Canadian children come from urban populations. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of obesity in a sample of rural Ontario children. METHODS: Measures of height and weight were obtained for 504 children attending seven public elementary schools in Grey and Bruce Counties, a predominantly rural area of Southern Ontario. Body mass index (BMI, or weight/height2) scores were calculated and compared with reference data from the Centers for Disease Control. RESULTS: Rates of overweight and obesity were high in this sample, with 17.7% of children classified as overweight and 10.9% classified as obese. There was a significantly high prevalence of overweight for both boys (17.8%) and girls (17.5%) (Chi-square = 75.70, p < 0.001). However there was a significant gender difference in obesity prevalence: 15.0% of boys were obese, compared with 6.8% of girls (Mann-Whitney U = 29133.0, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that among rural children--particularly boys--risk of overweight and obesity are at least as high as in their urban Canadian counterparts. There appear to be fewer girls than boys at the extreme high end of the distribution of BMI, which may indicate differences in the growth environment of rural boys and girls.     

西安市城区2009年7~18岁儿童、青少年超重和肥胖流行病学调查

【目的】 了解西安市城区儿童、青少年超重和肥胖的发病情况。 【方法】 随机整群抽取西安市城区7~18岁中小学生13 994人,采用体质指数(body mass index,BMI)诊断超重和肥胖。采用三次样条对西安市7~18岁儿童青少年体重、身高和BMI百分位数进行拟合,将身高,体重P₅₀,及BMI的P₈₅、P₉₅百分位数值与2005年中国全国标准进行比较。 【结果】 西安市城区7~18岁中小学生超重总发病率为10.42%,男生和女生分别为11.85%和8.83%;肥胖总发病率为4.67%,男生和女生分别为4.92%和4.40%。男生身高P₅₀值在10~15岁(除12岁)比全国标准稍低,男女体重和女生身高P₅₀中位数与全国数值基本接近;男生BMI的P₈₅、P₉₅数值与2005年全国水平基本接近;女生P₈₅和P₉₅值在14岁以前与全国水平基本接近,15岁后有所减低。 【结论】 西安市中小学肥胖发病率在17年间增加了一倍,制定预防儿童超重和肥胖的有效措施势在必行。     

乌鲁木齐学龄前儿童超重肥胖现状及相关因素分析

  目的  了解学龄前儿童超重肥胖现状及其影响因素,为预防和控制乌鲁木齐市学龄前儿童超重肥胖的发生提供参考依据。  方法  采用分层整群抽样方法,于2021年10—12月抽取乌鲁木齐市10所幼儿园1 897名学龄前儿童,通过对身高、体重的测量了解学龄前儿童超重肥胖现状,应用一般资料调查问卷、学龄前儿童饮食行为量表、学龄前儿童照护人喂养行为量表、3~6岁儿童家庭养育环境量表、学龄前儿童体力活动问卷等分析其相关因素。  结果  学龄前儿童超重肥胖检出率为31.21%(592名),其中超重率为19.50%(370名),肥胖率为11.70%(222名)。儿童超重肥胖检出率在不同年龄、性别、儿童饮食习惯(喜食肉类)、父亲体质量指数、母亲体质量指数、母亲孕前体质量指数间差异均有统计学意义(χ2值分别为19.63,28.75,9.45,18.21,18.45,19.36,P值均 < 0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,性别、儿童饮食习惯、父亲体质量指数、母亲孕前体质量指数、过饱响应、外因性进食、主动进食能力、体重担忧、饮食行为限制、体力活动、家庭体力活动环境是学龄前儿童超重肥胖的相关因素(OR值分别为0.52,1.43,1.51,1.44,0.69,0.74,1.35,1.71,0.81,0.96,1.10,P值均 < 0.05)。  结论  乌鲁木齐市学龄前儿童超重肥胖问题严峻,应加强教育、控制饮食、科学锻炼,以防止儿童超重肥胖的发生。     

Obesity among pre-adolescent and adolescents of a developing country (India)

There are very few reports from the developing world on the prevalence of obesity among children even though in developed countries it has reached epidemic proportions. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity in pre-adolescent and adolescent children in a developing country (India) using WHO guidelines for defining obesity and overweight. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 2008 school-children aged 9-15 years. Approximately half the subjects belonged to a school attended by children of well to do families while the rest belonged to two schools from middle and lower socio-economic background. Weight and height were taken for all children and the body mass index (BMI) calculated. Children whose BMI was >85th percentile for age and sex were defined as overweight. Triceps skin fold thickness (TSFT) was measured for all overweight children and those with TSFT >90th percentile for age and sex were defined as obese. The overall prevalence of obesity and overweight was 11.1% and 14.2% respectively. The prevalence of obesity as well as overweight was higher in boys as compared to girls (12.4% vs 9.9%, 15.7% vs 12.9%). Prevalence of obesity decreased significantly with age, from 18.5% at 9 years to 7.6% at 14 years, rising at 15 years to 12.1%. Significantly more children from higher socio-economic status were obese and overweight than those from lower socio-economic status groups. No significant gender difference for obesity prevalence was seen among children from a less privileged background, however, amongst children from affluent families, significantly more boys were obese as compared to girls. Pediatric obesity is an emerging problem in developing countries, especially among higher socio-economic status groups. Significant gender disparity is seen, with boys of affluent background having a higher prevalence.     

不同性别、年龄及营养状态儿童的人体成分分析

目的 探讨不同性别、年龄及营养状态儿童体成分的差异,为儿童健康评价提供线索。方法 选取2019年1—12月在深圳市妇幼保健院儿童健康科体检的儿童1 185例,年龄3~8岁。所有研究对象均进行身高、体重测量;应用多频生物电阻抗分析仪测量人体成分各指标;分析不同性别、年龄、营养状态与儿童体成分之间的关系。结果 男童的体重、BMI、去脂体重、身体水分及基础代谢率均高于女童,体脂率低于女童(t=2.94、5.05、5.21、4.67、2.88、5.27,P＜0.05);而身高和体脂含量在不同性别组间变化小,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05)。男、女童的体脂含量、去脂体重均随年龄增长而增加,而BMI随年龄增加呈现先降低后(至6~岁)增加的趋势(P＜0.05),按BMI变化趋势,儿童脂肪重聚年龄约5岁。男、女童体脂含量、体脂百分比、去脂体重、均随BMI增加而逐渐递增(男:F=33.28、29.81、33.02,女:F=28.57、13.38、24.55,P＜0.05)。PBF与BMI评价儿童超重和肥胖有较高的一致性(χ²=143.28、99.02,P＜0.05),但PBF的超重及肥胖检出率更高(P＜0.05)。结论 不同性别、年龄及营养状态儿童的人体成分存在明显差异,体成分对于儿童超重和肥胖的发生有较好的预警作用,是对儿童健康评价的有益补充。     

Percent body fat cutoff values for classifying overweight and obesity recommended by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) in Korean children

OBJECTIVE: To predict the percent body fat (%BF) cutoff values corresponding to overweight and obesity recommended by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) in Korean children and to compare those values with the published cutoff values in Caucasian children. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: The sample consisted of 1083 Korean children and adolescents (555 boys and 528 girls) aged 7-18 years from 3 schools. Body mass index (BMI) and %BF using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer were measured. The classification of overweight and obesity was based on the age- and sex-specific BMI cutoff values of the IOTF guidelines. RESULTS: The predicted %BF cutoff values for overweight and obesity varied by age and sex: overweight, 17-22% in boys and 24-37% in girls; obesity, 24-30% in boys and 30-53% in girls. Those %BF cutoff values in older Korean boys tended to be lower than the published %BF cutoff values in Caucasian boys. While %BF cutoff values for overweight in Korean girls were similar to the values in Caucasian girls, %BF cutoff values for obesity in Korean girls aged 13-18 years were higher compared to cutoff values in Caucasian girls. CONCLUSION: The %BF values associated with the IOTF-recommended BMI cutoff values for overweight and obesity may require age- and sex-specific cutoff values in Korean children aged 7-18 years.     

Overweight and obesity related to activities in Portuguese children, 7-9 years

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to explore the association among the following variables: physical activity, TV, videogames, and obesity. The study included a Portuguese random nationally representative sample of 3365 children (1610 girls and 1755 boys) 7-9 year olds. METHODS: A general questionnaire was completed by the parents of participating children to provide information about the hours spent per week watching television, computer use and electronic games, and the participation in physical education. Overweight and obesity were calculated by using the body mass index (BMI) assessment and the cut-off points for overweight (25 kg/m(2)) and obesity (30 kg/m(2)). RESULTS: The data from the association between BMI and the independent variables (analysis of variance) were only significant for time playing electronic games for boys and girls (P < 0.001; P < 0.029). The association between hours of watching TV and BMI was significant only for boys (P < 0.016). The results from the logistic regression were only significant for electronic games both for boys and girls (P < 0.000; P < 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the time spent playing electronic games is associated with obesity. Reducing childhood obesity calls for the reduction in sedentary behaviours, and the promotion of a more active lifestyle.     

Blood pressure among overweight adolescents from urban school children in Pune, India

OBJECTIVES: To examine the magnitude of overweight and its association with blood pressure (BP) among adolescents. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study with all children in age range 9-16 years (n=1146 boys and 1077 girls) from two schools catering to urban affluent high socio-economic class (HSE), for anthropometric measurements by trained investigators and BP measurement by a pediatrician using sphygmomanometer. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight based on conventional body mass index (BMI) cutoff was 27.5% for boys and 20.9% for girls but varied for different indicators. Prevalence of high systolic blood pressure (HSBP) was 12.0% in boys and 9.7% in girls and increased with increasing levels of BMI, weight, triceps skin fold thickness (TSFT) and percent body fat. Mean level of SBP among overweight children was significantly (P<0.001) higher by about 12 mm Hg, whereas that for diastolic blood pressure was higher by 8 mm Hg (P<0.001) as compared to their non-overweight (age, sex-matched) counterparts. This was true in both sexes and for all indicators used for assessing overweight. Prevalence of HSBP increased suddenly beyond BMI value of 20 kg/m2 in boys and 21.5 kg/m2 in girls, beyond TSFT value of 12 mm for boys and 14 mm for girls whereas such cutoffs for body fat were above 25% in both sexes. These cutoffs appear much lower than the conventional ones and therefore indicate the need for validation of conventional cutoffs in different populations. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight that BP measurement needs to be a routine part of physical examination in school children, and the use of cutoffs anchored to metabolic risks may be essential for assessment of obesity.     

乌鲁木齐市维吾尔族和汉族7～18岁人群体重指数分类标准比较

目的探讨使用偏度-中位数-变异系数法（LMS法）建立并比较乌鲁木齐市7～18岁维吾尔族（维族）和汉族青少年超重、肥胖的体重指数（BMI）分类标准。方法采用分层整群抽样方法，调查新疆乌鲁木齐市7～18岁维、汉族中小学生9146人，绘制两民族7～18岁青少年年龄别、性别BMI百分位曲线，确定18岁时分别通过国际肥胖工作组（IOTF）和中国肥胖问题工作组（WGOC）成年人超重、肥胖标准的特殊百分位数曲线，由此获得两民族7～18岁人群超重和肥胖的界值标准。结果18岁时通过25及30kg／m^2的百分位曲线：维族男生为P94.46和P99.58，维族女生为P92.44和P99.64，汉族男生为P85.05和P97.26，汉族女生为P90.92和P99.03；通过24及28kg／m^2的百分位曲线维族男生为P90.54和P98.86，维族女生为P86.96和P98.77，汉族男生为P78.98和P94.72，汉族女生为P86.15和P97.56。结论BMI分布具有民族特异性；对维族青少年超重、肥胖筛检时建议参考使用该研究标准。     

Prevalence and trends in overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Denmark

AIM: To study the current prevalence and trends in overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Denmark from 1995 to 2000-2002. METHODS: Cross-sectional national dietary surveys were conducted in 1995 and 2000-2002. The analysis was based on two random population samples from the Danish civil registration system. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from self-reported height and weight for 1,026 and 1,152 children and adolescents (4-18 years), who participated in 1995 and 2000-2002, respectively. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was defined according to the international age and gender-specific child BMI cut-off points. In the statistical analysis, overweight and obesity were included in the prevalence of overweight. RESULTS: Mean BMI increased significantly between 1995 and 2000-2002 for all combinations of age groups (4-6, 7-10, 11-14 and 15-18 years) and genders. Prevalence of overweight increased between survey years for boys and girls for all age groups (4-6, 7-10, 11-14 and 15-18 years), although formal statistical significance was not reached (p>0.05). When all children and adolescents (4-18 years) were analysed, the prevalence of overweight rose significantly from 10.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 9.0-12.8) to 14.4% (95% CI 12.5-16.3) between 1995 and 2000- 2002 (p=0.01), whereas the increase in the prevalence of obesity did not reach significance (1995, 2.3% (95% CI 1.3-3.3) vs. 2000-2002, 2.4% (95% CI 1.6-3.3); p=0.74). CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed a significant increase from 1995 to 2000-2002 in mean BMI for boys and girls for all age groups and a significant increase in the prevalence of overweight when all Danish children and adolescents (4-18 years) were analysed.     

Relations between obesity and hypertension: preliminary data from a cross-sectional study in primary schoolchildren: the children study

OBJECTIVE: To record the prevalence of overweight, obesity and hypertension in primary schoolchildren living in one of the poorest regions in Europe and furthermore to identify certain behavioural, lifestyle and physiological parameters associated with body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Nineteen primary schools within the county of Ioannina, Greece. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Demographic, dietary and physical activity data as well as anthropometrical, BP and cardiorespiratory fitness measurements were obtained from a representative sample of 312 school children (153 boys and 159 girls) attending 5th grade. Inclusion of subjects in the study was voluntary. One-way analysis of variance and multiple linear regression analysis were mainly applied for the evaluation of the tested hypotheses. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 29.4 and 11.8% for boys and 39.0 and 7.5% for girls. The prevalence of systolic and diastolic hypertension was 28.1 and 7.8% for boys and 26.4 and 17.0% for girls. Furthermore, BMI and BP (systolic and diastolic) were positively related to frequency of fast food meals (rho: + 0.28, P = 0.033, rho: + 1.09, P = 0.03 and rho: +0.86, P = 0.014, respectively) but negatively to leisure time physical activity (rho: -5.55, P = 0.005, rho: -3.32 x 10(-2), P < 0.001 and rho: -2.08 x 10(-2), P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The current study revealed an increased prevalence of overweight, obesity and hypertension among schoolchildren in Ioannina, indicating the need for early preventive measures in one of the less privileged regions of Europe.     

2012年兰州市某小学学生体格发育及营养状况分析

目的调查分析兰州市某小学学生体格发育和营养状况。方法分别依照年龄的身高、年龄的体质指数(BMI)筛查调查人群消瘦与超重、肥胖所占比例,并与2005年全国调查水平进行比较。结果调查的男女生身高、体重和BMI值均随着年龄的增大而增加,其整体体格发育水平高于全国平均水平。超重和肥胖检出率较高,且超重检出率高于肥胖检出率(P﹤0.05)。其中超重在男女生中的比例分别为16.11%和8.33%,肥胖在男女生中的比例分别为12.32%和3.79%,男生检出率均高于女生(P﹤0.05)。但营养不良问题仍然存在,主要表现为消瘦,女生检出率高于男生(P﹤0.05)。结论该小学学生营养不良主要是消瘦和超重、肥胖并存。提示卫生部门、教育部门和社会应重视儿童体格发育,加强宣传教育,增强户外体育锻炼,促使其养成良好的生活习惯。同时,提醒家庭积极改善学生的营养供给,在膳食中增加富含优质蛋白质的食品,平衡营养,合理膳食。     

Prevalence of overweight and associated factors in southern Brazilian adolescents

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight in adolescents in a southern Brazilian city, and ascertain gender differences and association with socio-economic and demographic conditions, family factors and individual behaviours. METHODS: Cross-sectional population-based study with random cluster sampling of households, including 722 adolescents (10-19 years), from a city in southern Brazil. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated based on the National Center for Health and Statistics reference curve, defining overweight as BMI 85th percentile. RESULTS: Prevalence of overweight was 17% in girls and 19% in boys. In multivariate Poisson regression, chronic illness in parent(s) and household of up to four people were associated with overweight in boys, whereas low fibre intake, more hours spent watching television and regular exercise were associated with overweight in girls. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of overweight in Brazilian adolescents is high, with gender differences in associated factors. Health workers in schools and public health services should be aware of these differences in order to improve preventive and therapeutic strategies in this age group.     

Associations of behavioural, psychosocial and socioeconomic factors with over- and underweight among German adolescents

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of overweight and obesity has dramatically increased in western societies. This paper examines behavioural, psychosocial and socioeconomic factors associated with overweight and underweight among adolescents in Germany. METHODS: Data from the German part of the 2001/02 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey, composed of 5,650 respondents aged 11 to 17 years were analysed. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated based on self-reported weight and height. The overweight category was defined as BMI within or above the 90th percentile of specific BMI values for gender and age in the German national sample. The underweight category was defined as BMI within or below the 10th percentile of this sample. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to investigate the association between behavioural, psychosocial and socioeconomic factors and BMI categories. RESULTS: 9.5 % of the boys and 5.4 % of the girls were classified as overweight. The prevalence of underweight was 12.6 % among boys and 19.1 % among girls. Several factors were associated with over- and/or underweight in the bivariate analysis, showing different patterns for gender and BMI categories. In the multivariable model only low family affluence, high sedentary behaviour, and being bullied (for girls only) remained positively associated with being overweight. Being underweight was negatively associated with higher age and low parental occupation; it differed also by region. CONCLUSION: Despite several variables being associated with overweight and underweight in bivariate models, only three factors remained associated with overweight in multivariable analysis. Other considered variables did not have independent associations with the outcome, but still could be included in respective causal pathways. Our results suggest that preventive strategies focussing on students of low socio-economic status and the avoidance of sedentary behaviours could help to address issues of overweight and obesity.     

Tri-axial accelerometer-assessed physical activity and its association with weight status in a sample of elementary-school children

Background and aimsObjective assessment of physical activity (PA) using accelerometers and pedometers has become more accurate and common practice in the study of childhood overweight. The study aimed: i) to compare PA levels and body shape of boys and girls, and assess compliance of active children with the PA recommendation; ii) to analyse associations between the risk of overweight and the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children.MethodsThe sample comprised 395 children (198 girls) aged 6–10 years. Height and weight were measured, and BMI was calculated subsequently. A tri-axial accelerometer was used to obtain seven consecutive days of MVPA, as well as the weekly time being sedentary. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the afore-mentioned relationship among the risk of obesity and MVPA, controlling for confounders.ResultsAfter controlling for wearing time, boys spent significantly more minutes in the moderate-to-vigorous portion of PA than their female counterparts. About 47% of boys were active on week days by achieve the mean value of 60 min/day of MVPA; corresponding percentage for the weekend was just 32%. Among girls, only 22% were active on week days and 29% at the weekend. MVPA was not significantly associated with the risk of being overweight nor in female neither in male children. The final regression model revealed that girls of mothers with high educational level were less likely to be classified as overweight girls.ConclusionsFindings revealed no significantly relation between MVPA and obesity risk among Portuguese children. Future research should extend similar design to other lifestyle features of children to clarify potential predictors of being overweight at early ages.     

Prevalence and covariates of obesity in Lebanon: findings from the first epidemiological study

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and examine associated covariates in the Lebanese population. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 2104 individuals, 3 years of age and older. Anthropometric measurements and dietary assessments were conducted following standard methods and techniques. Overweight and obesity (classes I to III) were defined according to internationally standardized criteria for classification of BMI. RESULTS: For children 3 to 19 years of age, prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were higher overall for boys than girls (22.5% vs. 16.1% and 7.5% vs. 3.2%, respectively). For adult men and women (age > or = 20 years), the prevalence of overweight was 57.7% and 49.4%, respectively. In contrast, obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m(2)) was higher overall among women (18.8%) than men (14.3%), a trend that became more evident with increasing obesity class. BMI, percentage of body fat, and waist circumference increased to middle age and declined thereafter. Whereas lack of exercise associated significantly with obesity among children, obesity in older adults was more prevalent among the least educated, nonsmokers, and those reporting a family history of obesity. DISCUSSION: The results from this national population-based study in Lebanon show high prevalence rates of overweight and obesity comparable with those observed in developed countries such as the United States. While further studies are needed to examine the underlying social and cultural factors associated with lifestyle and nutritional habits, now is the time to institute multicomponent interventions promoting physical activity and weight control nationwide.