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.     

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.     

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 > or = 85th and < 95th percentiles) and obesity (BMI > or = 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 children in different regions of Mexico has been reduced, but there is an increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity.     

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.     

Prevalence of overweight,obesity and physical activity levels in children from Azores Islands

Abstract

Background: Childhood overweight and obesity are increasing all over the world and have been associated with low levels of physical activity (PA).

Aims: To determine the prevalence of overweight, obesity and PA levels in Azorean children according to age and sex; and to determine the association between levels of PA and prevalence of overweight and obesity.

Subjects and methods: Weight, height and PA levels were measured in 3699 children aged 6–10 years, from the Azores Islands, Portugal. Overweight and obesity were classified according to the cut-offs of .

Results: In girls, prevalences of overweight and obesity were 22.8% and 13.2%, and in boys 17.6% and 12.3%, respectively. No age trends were found in the prevalence of overweight or obesity; however, girls had a higher risk of being overweight (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.2–1.7) than boys. Levels of PA were higher in boys compared to girls (F(1) = 52.8, p < 0.001). A protective effect of PA practice (very active versus less active) was observed for obesity (OR = 0.7; 95% CI = 0.5–0.9).

Conclusion: The results demonstrate the existence of high prevalence of overweight and obesity in children from the Azores Islands, which is associated with low levels of PA.     

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.     

Association between overweight and early sexual maturation in Portuguese boys and girls

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sexual maturation (SM), and the prevalence of overweight among boys and girls. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sample of this cross-sectional study included 819 children and adolescents (382 boys and 437 girls), aged 10-15 years old randomly selected from 30 schools in the Porto region. Anthropometrical measurements (body height, weight and skinfolds thickness) were determined by standard anthropometrical methods. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from the ratio weight/height(2) (kg/m(2)). The sum of tricipital and subscapular skinfolds (TriSub) was also used. Physicians collected data on Tanner stages during physical examination. Subjects were grouped using the quartiles of the decimal age adjusted for Tanner stages of SM and gender. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight was higher in early maturing boys (30.5%) and early maturing girls (32.7%). The late maturers presented a lower prevalence (p < 0.05) of overweight (20.3% boys and 18.3% girls). Logistic regression analysis illustrates that early maturing is associated with an increased risk for overweight or obesity for boys (OR: 1.87 and 95% CI: 0.99-3.50) and girls (OR: 2.14 and 95% CI: 1.12-4.07), when compared with the boys and girls of the fourth quartile (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that there is an association between early SM and the prevalence of overweight in both genders.     

Prevalence of Thinness,Overweight, Obesity,and Central Obesity in Finnish School-Aged Children: A Comparison of National and International Reference Values

IntroductionThe global epidemic of obesity concerns children, and monitoring the prevalence is of highest priority. Body mass index (BMI) with age- and sex-specific cutoff values determines weight status in children, although multiple reference systems exist. Our aim was to compare the prevalence for thinness, normal weight, overweight, and obesity in Finnish school-aged children according to national and international reference values, as well as to determine which cutoff values for overweight agree with the criteria for central obesity.MethodsThis study includes 10,646 children aged 9–12 years from the Finnish Health in Teens cohort. Height, weight, and waist circumference were measured in 2011–2014. BMI (weight [kg]/height [m]²) and the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR; waist [cm]/height [cm]) were calculated. The WHtR cutoff of >0.5 indicated central obesity. We compared the sex-specific prevalence of thinness, overweight, and obesity using the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), World Health Organization (WHO) and Finnish (FIN) BMI-for-age reference values, as well as these three against central obesity based on the WHtR.ResultsThe prevalence of thinness, overweight, and obesity were 11.0%, 12.7%, and 2.6%, respectively, using IOTF; 2.6%, 15.9%, and 5.2% using WHO; and 5.1%, 11.4%, and 2.2% using FIN. Overweight and obesity were more common in boys than girls using WHO and FIN, while thinness was more common in girls using IOTF and FIN. IOTF versus WHO exhibited moderate agreement (κ = 0.59), which improved for IOTF versus FIN (κ = 0.74). Of those classified as overweight by WHO, 37% and 47% were regarded as normal weight according to IOTF and FIN, respectively. The prevalence of central obesity was 8.7%, and it was more common in boys than girls. WHO provided the highest sensitivity: 95% of individuals with central obesity were classified with overweight or obesity. Using FIN provided the highest specificity (93%).ConclusionOur findings show that WHO overestimates the prevalence of overweight and obesity, while IOTF overrates thinness. Thus, comparing prevalence rates between studies requires caution. The novelty of this study is the comparison of the cutoff values for overweight with central obesity. The choice of reference system affects the generalizability of the research results.     

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.     

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.     

广州越秀区7岁以下儿童单纯性肥胖症现状调查

目的了解越秀区7岁以下儿童单纯性肥胖症的流行现状及其变化趋势,为预防及控制单纯性肥胖症提供科学依据。方法分层整群抽样越秀区7岁以下儿童4737名,身高别体重大于WHO推荐参照人群的10%~19%为超重,20%以上为肥胖。结果总超重检出率为6.06%(男6.67%,女5.28%),肥胖检出率为2.28%(男3.10%,女1.38%),肥胖超重比2.66(男2.15,女3.82),0~2岁儿童肥胖超重比为8.33。男童超重及肥胖检出率显著高于女童(P<0.05);3~6岁组儿童肥胖检出率2.93%,显著高于0~2岁组儿童的0.48%(P<0.01),3~6岁儿童肥胖率随年龄增加而显著增加(P<0.01)。结论越秀区7岁以下男童超重、肥胖检出率明显高于女童;3~6岁儿童肥胖率随年龄的增加而显著增加,0~2岁儿童肥胖症呈快速上升趋势。     

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in 7-9-year-old Portuguese children: trends in body mass index from 1970-2002.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Portuguese children age 7-9 years and to analyze trends in body mass index (BMI) from 1970-2002. Data were collected from October 2002 to June 2003 in a random sample of Portuguese children. Height and weight were measured and BMI (Kg/m(2)) was calculated. The International Obesity TaskForce (IOTF) cutoffs to define overweight and obesity were used. In the total sample we found 20.3% of overweight children and 11.3% of obese children. These results indicate a prevalence of overweight/obesity of 31.5%. Girls presented higher percentages of overweight than boys except at age 7.5. Girls also showed a higher percentages of obesity than boys except at age 9. From 1970 to 1992 and 1992 to 2002, height, weight, and BMI increased at different velocities: weight increased faster than height, and, consequently, BMI increased more in the last period than in the first one, leading to an increase in obesity values. Compared to published data by IOTF on other European countries, who applied the same methods to define overweight and obesity, Portuguese children showed the second-highest mean values in overweight/obesity. Italy showed the highest values (36%). The present study shows a very high prevalence of overweight/obesity (31.5%) in Portuguese children compared to other European countries. Portugal followed the trend of other Mediterranean countries like Spain (30%), Greece (31%), and Italy (36%). These high values require a national intervention program to control childhood obesity.     

Differences in development and the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents in different socioeconomic status districts in Shandong,China

Background: There are wide-ranging differences in human growth, not only between ethnic groups but also between regions. Shandong is one of the most populous provinces in China, with inequalities of regional economic status. However, no studies on the differences in development among children and adolescents in different districts have been reported.

Aim: This study assessed the differences in height, weight and prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents of different socioeconomic status (SES) districts in Shandong, China.

Subjects and methods: Data for this study were obtained from a large cross-sectional survey of schoolchildren. A total of 42 286 students (21 222 boys and 21 064 girls) aged 7–18 years from 16 districts participated in this study. Height and weight of all subjects were measured and BMI was calculated from their height and weight. Prevalence rates of obesity and overweight were determined by comparing calculated BMIs (kg/m²) to International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut-offs. Each of the 16 districts was assigned an SES ranking (low, moderate, high) based on per capita GDP and income in urban and rural areas. Comparisons of height, weight and the prevalence of overweight and obesity among different groups were made.

Results: Significant differences between SES groups were observed for height, weight and the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Boys and girls from high SES group were taller, heavier and more likely to be obese than their peers from moderate and low SES groups. The prevalences of combined overweight and obesity in the three SES groups were 18.46%, 21.08% and 27.31% in boys and 10.43%, 12.42% and 15.18% in girls, respectively.

Conclusion: There have been obvious regional variations in development and the prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents in Shandong, China, These variations in development and prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents among different SES districts being related to the local SES, process of urbanization, living environments, nutritional status, dietary pattern, physical activity and public health.     

Gender differences in growth and nutrition in a sample of rural Ontario schoolchildren.

This paper reports findings of a cross-sectional study of the growth and nutrition of children living in rural Ontario, Canada. The objectives of the research were threefold: (1) to obtain data on obesity prevalence and nutrient intake in a sample of rural Canadian schoolchildren, (2) to compare findings with rural and national-level data on obesity prevalence and nutrient intake, and (3) to provide data to school board and public health agencies planning and implementing nutrition policy and programs to this population. Measures of height and weight were obtained for 504 children ages 7-13 years. Height for age and body mass index scores were calculated and compared with 2000 data from the Centers for Disease Control (Kuczmarski et al. [2002]: Vital Health Stat 246:1-190). Weekday 24-h dietary recall was conducted on a subsample of 352 children and the results compared with Canada's Food Guide (Health Canada,1997) and dietary reference data from the US Institute of Medicine (2000). Prevalence of overweight and obesity were high in this sample, with 17.7% of children classified as overweight and 10.9% of children classified as obese. Fifteen percent of boys were classified as obese, compared to 6.8% of girls. Boys consumed significantly more servings from the grain and meat food groups than girls. While mean daily intake of fiber and micronutrients was significantly low for both boys and girls, there were significant gender differences in nutrient intake, with boys consuming greater energy, protein, carbohydrate, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and sodium than girls. A number of limitations are discussed, in particular issues arising from the use of Dietary Reference Intakes.     

阳春市中学生单纯性肥胖症流行病学调查

目的研究阳春市中学生超重、肥胖的流行现状及其影响因素。方法采用分层整群随机抽样的方法，对该市中学生进行现场调查。结果阳春市中学生超重发生率为6．98％，肥胖率为2．81％；男生超重、肥胖检出率显著高于女生。父母肥胖、进食快、喜吃蔬菜是肥胖的影响因素。结论中学生肥胖的发生主要与不良饮食习惯、生活方式密切相关，还与父母因素有关。     

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.     

Dual burden of body weight among Iranian children and adolescents in 2003 and 2010: the CASPIAN-III study

Introduction

Our aim was to compare changes of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) curves of Iranian children by comparing the results of two national surveys of a surveillance program, i.e. CASPIAN-I (2003–2004) and CASPIAN-III (2009–2010). The second objective was to evaluate the prevalence of obesity, overweight and underweight among 10–18-year-old Iranian children and adolescents.

Material and methods

This study was performed among students who were selected by multistage random cluster sampling from urban and rural areas of 27 provinces of Iran, as part of a national survey of school student high risk behavior entitled CASPIAN-III, conducted in 2009–2010.

Results

We evaluated 5088 school students (50.2% boys). In rural areas, underweight was more common in boys and overweight and obesity in girls. In urban areas underweight and obesity were more common in boys, whereas overweight was more common in girls. The highest prevalence of underweight (23.5%) was seen in students aged 13 years and the lowest (11.4%) in those aged 18 years. Underweight was significantly more common in rural than in urban areas (22.1% vs. 15.8%, respectively, p < 0.0001) and overweight/obesity was more common in urban than in rural areas. Compared with the findings in 2003–2004, the overall prevalence of elevated body mass index (16.6%) including obesity (9.1%) and overweight (7.5%) as well as underweight (17.5%) increased from 2003 to 2010.

Conclusions

In recent years, the double burden of nutritional disorders has increased among Iranian children and adolescents, especially in rural areas. This change may be related to epidemiologic transition, notably in terms of nutrition transition and rapid changes in lifestyle habits. This finding is an important issue for policy-makers for interventional preventive programs.     

Changes in adiposity status from childhood to adolescence: A 6-year longitudinal study in Portuguese boys and girls

Background: Cross-sectional data show high prevalence of overweight in Portuguese children, but there are few longitudinal studies describing the patterns of obesity development in the young.

Aim: To examine the trajectories of obesity from late childhood to adolescence.

Subjects and methods: Triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness measurements were carried out in 288 children at age 9 (baseline) and later at age 15 (follow-up). Percentage body fat (%BF) was estimated according to Slaughter equations and the health-related definition of obesity ( ≥ 25%BF in boys and ≥ 30%BF in girls) was used.

Results: In boys, the prevalence of obesity decreased from 21.9% to 14.8% (p < 0.05) while in girls it increased from 14.3% to 19.5%. The incidence of obesity in the 6-year study period was 2.6% and 8.3% for boys and girls, respectively (p < 0.05). In comparison with girls, the percentage of boys that reversed obesity was more than 3-fold higher (3% vs 9.7%, p < 0.05). Obesity tracked moderately in both sexes (Kappa = 0.6, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The results indicate a marked sex difference in the incidence and reversal of obesity from late childhood to adolescence that is unfavourable to girls. Consideration of this difference might be important when designing programmes for the prevention and treatment of obesity focusing on this period.     

International definitions of overweight and obesity for children: a lasting solution?

BACKGROUND: Definitions of overweight and obesity for children were published in 2000, derived by averaging the centiles of six countries equivalent to body mass index (BMI) at age 18 years of 25 and 30. For use in the UK it is unclear whether these present an advantage over equivalent definitions based on UK data. AIM: To compare the recently published international cut-off points for overweight and obesity in children with alternative cut-off points based on the UK 1990 reference data. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Around 6000 white children aged 4-11 years from primary schools in 22 areas in England were measured in two cross-sectional surveys, in 1984 and 1994. Measurements included height and weight, from which BMI was calculated. Each child was classified as overweight or obese according to each cut-off point. RESULTS: The proposed international cut-off points exaggerate the difference in prevalence of overweight and obesity between English boys and girls in comparison to comparable measures based on UK data by up to 7%, and are not compatible with the UK reference charts for BMI. Using proposed UK cut-off points the prevalence of overweight in boys was 10.2% in 1984, rising to 13.8% in 1994, compared to 5.4 to 9.0% using the international definition. CONCLUSION: The limitations of the international definitions, due to averaging data from different countries and the choice of reference age, need to be known. The UK cut-off points here presented are compatible with the current UK reference curves.