Ethnic Differences in Body Mass Index and Prevalence of Obesity in School Children of Urumqi City, Xinjiang, China

Objective To investigate the prevalence of obesity and distribution of body mass index （BMI） in school children of four ethnic groups in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China. Methods A total of 55 508 school children of Han, Hui, Uygur and Kazak nationalities aged 8-18 years were selected by a cluster sampling from a districts of Urumqi City for anthropometrie measurement and demographic survey. Prevalence of obesity and overweight and distribution of body mass index （BMI） by gender, age, and nationality were analyzed and compared. Cutoff points of BMI for defining obesity and overweight were based on the proposal set by the Working Group on Obesity in China （WGOC） to assess age-, gender- and nationality-specific prevalence of obesity and overweight. Results Prevalence of obesity was 5.34%, 6.78%, 3.39 %, and 1.22% for boys and 2.61%, 1.83%, 1.78%, and 1.40% for girls of Han, Hui, Uygur and Kazak nationalities, respectively. Prevalence of obesity tended to decrease with age overall, whereas that of overweight increased with age in Han children. Conclusions Prevalence of obesity in school children in Urumqi varies with their nationalities and is lower than that of an average national level and a level of western countries. Obesity is more prevalent in boys than in girls of Urmuqi overall, which is just the opposite in Kazak children. Han boys and Hui girls have the highest prevalence of obesity and Kazak boys and girls have the lowest ones. Prevalence of obesity decreases with age, but that of overweight shows a different trend.     

The Influence of Secular Trends in Body Height and Weight on the Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Chinese Children and Adolescents

Objective To explore the influence of secular trends in body height and weight on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Chinese children and adolescents. Methods The data were obtained from five cross-sectional Chinese National Surveys on Students’ Constitution and Health. Overweight/obesity was defined as BMI-for-age Z-score of per the Wold Health Organization (WHO) reference values. Body height and weight for each sex and age were standardized to those reported in 1985 (standardized height: SHY; standardized weight: SWY) and for each sex and year at age 7 (standardized height: SHA; standardized weight: SWA) using the Z-score method. Results The prevalence of overweight/obesity in Chinese children was 20.2% among boys and 10.7%among girls in 2010 and increased continuously from 1985 to 2010. Among boys and girls of normal weight, SHY and SHA were significantly greater than SWY and SWA, respectively (P < 0.001). Among boys and girls with overweight/obesity, SHY was significantly lower than SWY (P < 0.001), and showed an obvious decreasing trend after age 12. SHA was lower than SWA among overweight boys aged 7-8 years and girls aged 7-9 years. SHY/SHW and SHA/SWA among normal-weight groups were greater than among overweight and obese groups (P < 0.001). Conclusion The continuous increase in the prevalence of overweight/obesity among Chinese children may be related to a rapid increase in body weight before age 9 and lack of secular increase in body height after age 12.     

Secular Change in Stature of Urban Chinese Children and Adolescents, 1985-2010

Objective Research evidence shows a secular trend in Chinese physical growth in recent years.The aim of this study was to analyze and assess changes in stature of children and adolescents during the 25 years from 1985‐2010,using national data.Methods Data came from successive cycles of the Chinese National Survey on Students’ Constitution and Health(CNSSCH).Subjects were 7‐ to 18‐year‐old children and adolescents.Results An overall positive secular trend occurred in urban China during 1985‐2010.The overall average rates of increment were 2.4 and 1.7 cm/decade for boys and girls,respectively.Total increases in adult stature for boys and girls were 2.6 and 1.7 cm,yielding rates of 1.0 and 0.7 cm/decade,respectively.Cities with different socioeconomic levels had different characteristic trends.Mean stature increases in big cities were larger than those in moderate and small cities,and boys and girls in moderate and small cities showed greater potential for growth in stature.Conclusion An overall positive secular growth trend was associated with socioeconomic progress and differed with area socioeconomic levels.School policies and strategies should be developed based on increased stature,and should continue narrowing the inequity between different socioeconomic populations.     

Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Students Aged 7-22 Years in Jiangsu Province,China

Objective To report the prevalence and trend of overweight and obesity among students aged 7-22 years in Jiangsu, 2010 to 2013. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out as part of students physical fitness and health survey in Jiangsu province. A total of 255,581 subjects (50.03%males and 49.97%females) enrolled in 82 school and 10 universities in Jiangsu. Weights and heights were obtained for each subject and its body mass index (BMI) was calculated using the Chinese Working Group on Obesity in China (CWGO). Results Anthropometric measurement including bodyweight, height, BMI and bust were significantly different between males in urban compared to females living rural areas (P<0.001). The total prevalence of overweight and obesity was 12.4%and 5.7%. Males had a significantly higher rate than in female’s student. The prevalence of overweight and obesity by age groups was (14.5%, 10.3%) at age 7-11 years, (11.2%, 6.8%) at age 12-14 years, (11.7%, 3.1%) at age 15-17 years, and (11.4%, 2.3%) at age 18-22 years. By regions; the highest prevalence of overweight obesity reported in Taizhou (10%, 14.2%), Xuzhou (9.4%, 12.5%), and Nanjing (9.2%, 15.6%), respectively.     

Application of the WHO Growth Reference （2007） to Assess the Nutritional Status of Children in China

Objective To assess the nutrition status of children and adolescents in China using the WHO growth reference （2007） in comparison with that defined by the International Obesity Task Force （IOTF） and the Working Group on Obesity in China （WGOC）. Methods Overweight and obesity were defined by age-, sex-, specific BMI reference developed by WHO （2007）, IOTF （2000）, and WGOC （2004）, respectively. Stunting and thinness were defined as height and BMI less than two standard deviations （SD） of the WHO growth reference （2007）, respectively. Data of children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years （n=54 857, 28 273 boys, 26 584 girls） from the 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey （CNNHS） were used in the study. Results The prevalence of overweight, obesity, stunting and thinness among Chinese children and adolescents aged 5-19 years was 5.0%, 1.2%, 13.8%, and 7.4%, respectively when the WHO growth reference （2007） was used, whereas the estimated absolute total number affected by these 4 conditions were 14.6, 3.7, 40.6, and 21.8 million, respectively. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 18.1% in large cities, while the stunting prevalence was 25.1% in rural 4. Obesity prevalence assessed by the WHO growth reference was higher than that as assessed by the IOTF reference, and obesity prevalence assessed by the WGOC reference was lower than that as assessed by the IOTF reference. Conclusion The nutritional status of children and adolescents is not equal in different areas of China. Stunting is still the main health problem of the poor, while overweight and obesity are the main health problems in large cities.     

Nutrition in Chinese-Korean Children and Adolescents

ObjectiveTo study the nutrition habits among Chinese-Korean children and adolescents in Yanbian Autonomous Prefecture, Jilin, China. MethodsData were obtained from the Chinese National Survey on Students’ Constitution and Health in 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010 for Chinese-Korean children and adolescents aged 7-18 years.The number of the subjects included was 4789, 4704, 5875, and 5315, respectively. ResultsThe rate of the occurrence of stunting showed a declining trend from 1995 to 2010 (for boys:urban, 6.3%; rural, 12.7% in 1995 and 3.5% for both in 2010. For girls: urban, 7.8%; rural, 13.4% in 1995 and 4.2% and 5.5%, respectively, in 2010). Although the ratio of wasting did not show significant differences between the urban and rural children and adolescents in 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010 respectively, the ratio of occurrence of overweight or obesity increased (for boys: urban, 7.3% and 1.3%in 1995, 17.6% and 12.9% in 2010; rural, 7.0% and 1.3% in 1995, 14.6% and 12.8% in 2010, respectively. For girls: urban, 8.1% and 1.0% in 1995, 17.3% and 8.6% in 2010; rural 5.7% and 0.7% in 1995, 16.4%and 7.4% in 2010, respectively). ConclusionThe ratio of malnutrition in children and adolescents in Chinese-Korean areas declined from 1995 to 2010, and the distinction in malnutrition between the urban and rural areas was negligible in 2010. Further, the ratio of overweight and obesity increased over this period.     

Empirical Changes in the Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Chinese Students from 1985 to 2010 and Corresponding Preventive Strategies

Objective To determine the extent of the obesity epidemic in school‐aged Chinese children in 2010 and track the increasing trend in different socioeconomic regions over the preceding 25 years. Strategies for preventing childhood obesity are suggested. Methods We used a dataset provided by the Chinese National Survey on Students’ Constitution and Health from 1985‐2010. Subjects were 7‐18‐year‐old students randomly selected from urban and rural areas in 30 provinces. Eight subgroups were created according to region and socioeconomic status. Results Increased rates of the epidemic (overweight and obesity combined) were greatest in large coastal cities‐32.6% and 19.1% among males and females, respectively. These rates has neared that of developed countries. Similar increases were found in all other regions, including the once poverty‐stricken rural west. The epidemic in most of the rural areas began after 2000, but has spread swiftly over the last decade. In 2010, it was estimated that 9.9% of Chinese school‐aged children and adolescents were overweight and that an additional 5.1% were obese, representing an estimated 30.43 million individuals. Conclusion The prognosis for China’s childhood‐obesity epidemic is dire. To prevent childhood obesity, we suggest several strategies, including reasonable dietary intake, increase physical activity, a change in sedentary lifestyles and corresponding behavioral modifications.     

Disease risks of childhood obesity in China

Objective To estimate the relative risks of dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndromes among overweight and obese Chinese children compared with their normal weight counterparts. Methods Overweight and obesity were defined by age- and sex-specific BMI classification reference for Chinese children and adolescents. Pediatric metabolic syndrome （MetS） and each risk factor for MetS were defined using the criteria for US adolescents. Definition of hyper-TC, LDL, and dyslipidemia for adults was applied as well. General linear model factor analysis and chi-square test were used to compare the difference in metabolic indicators among normal weight, overweight, and obese groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the odds ratio of metabolic abnormalities between obesity, overweight, and normal weight children, after adjustment for living area, family economic level, age, sex, and daily exercise time and TV watching time, as well as different dietary indices in the model. Results Significant increases in blood lipids, glucose, and blood pressure were found among overweight and obese children as compared with their counterparts with normal weight. By applying WGOC-recommended BMI classification, the risks for hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL and dyslipidemia among overweight children were 1.9, 1.4, and 1.5 times, and was 3.3, 1.5, and 1.8 times among obese groups compared to their counterparts with normal weight after adjustment for age, sex, region, socioeconomic status, physical activity, and dietary intakes. The overweight and obese children （15-17.9 years） had a high-risk of developing hypertension, which was 2.3 and 2.9 times higher than their counterparts with normal weight. Above 90% obese adolescents had abdominal obesity, while less than 1% normal weight ones had abdominal obesity. No obese adolescents were free from any risk factors for MetS, while 36.9% of normal weight adolescents were from the risk factors. 83.3% obese boys and all obese girls had metabolic syndrome, while only 15.5% normal weight boys and 18.8% normal weight girls had metabolic syndrome. Four risk factors for metabolic syndrome were found in 8.3% obese boys while none in normal weight boys and girls. The prevalence of MetS among normal weight, overweight, and obesity groups was 1.5%, 18.3%, and 38.1% respectively. Conclusion The cardiovascular disease （CVD） risk factors are clustered in obese Chinese children. Our observations strongly suggest that efforts should be made to prevent the onset of overweight and its associated diseases during early childhood.     

Obesity,Body Fat Distribution,and Physical Activity in School-age Children: an Urban and Rural Comparison in Valparaíso,Chile

正This study analyze the relation between body composition,physical activity(PA),and sex in Chilean children from rural and urban public educational institutions.The prevalence of obesity(according to BMI)was 30.88%in urban children and 28.93%in rural children.Central obesity presented mainly in the rural girls.Approximately     

Report on Childhood Obesity in China （1） Body Mass Index Reference for Screening Overweight and Obesity in Chinese School-age Children

Purpose To establish and propose a national body mass index （BMI） reference for screening overweight and obesity in Chinese school-age children and adolescents. Methods 2000 CNSSCH （Chinese National Survey on Students Constitution and Health） data, including 216 620 primary and secondary school students aged 7 to 18 years old, were used as a reference population. Compared with those of the NCHS intematioanl reference, three temporary sets of cut-off BMI were proposed by testing different combinations of P85, P90, and P95. When physiological and biochemical measures between and among “obesity” “overweight”, and “normal weight” groups were taken into consideration, set Ⅱ was selected to be the most appropriate one. The sex-age-specific curves were then plotted and smoothed by using B-spline method. Results Based on the samples from costal developed metropolis, the BMI curves successfully overcame the shortcomings of lower and level-off tendency of the Chinese total population. Temporary set H, composed by cut-offs of P85 for overweight and P95 for obesity, was finally selected by its sensitivity and peculiarity. BMI 24 and 28 were used as cut-offs for overweight and obesity for both males and females aged 18 years old. These cut-offs, consistent with Chinese Adult＇s Reference, was proposed as the Body mass index reference for screening overweight and obesity in Chinese school-age children and adolescents. Conehlsion The new reference clearly showed its superiorty in both prospectivity and actuality. The proposed reference minimized the gaps of the BMI curve between Chinese adolescents and the international reference. Most importantly was that it was consistent with the Eastern Asia ethnic characteristics of body fatness growth. It was therefore proposed by the Working Group on Obesity in China （WGOC） to use it as an nationwide reference for screening overweight and obesity of school-age children and adolescents in China.     

中国学生超重、肥胖流行现状与15年流行趋势

目的:分析我国不同群体学生超重、肥胖流行现状和近15年来的流行趋势变化,为制定学生肥胖防治措施提供依据.方法:1985年和2000年全国学生体质调研,对象为7～22岁学生.利用新建儿童青少年体重指数(body mass index,BMI,体重/身高2,kg/m2)标准筛查超重、肥胖,分析不同群体检出率.结果:2000年我国7～22岁城市男生、乡村男生、城市女生、乡村女生肥胖检出率分别为4.37%、1.46%、2.32%和0.92%,超重检出率分别为10.38%、4.34%、5.94%和3.67%,比1985年成倍显著上升.地区差异极其明显:部分发达大城市男女生肥胖率达9.63%和4.50%,超重率达15.29%和8.77%;多数地区处于肥胖流行早期,西部肥胖检出率很低,乡村女生基本无肥胖流行.结论:中国发达地区采取学生肥胖综合防治措施已刻不容缓.其它地区也应采取相应有针对性的防治措施.     

重庆市城区3～18岁儿童青少年肥胖症及相关疾病的流行病学调查

目的为掌握重庆市儿童青少年超重肥胖的发病情况,并对心血管疾病相关的高危指标进行观察。方法对重庆市城区23293名3~18岁儿童青少年进行了流行病学调查。测量指标包括身高、体重、腰围、臀围、血压。结果(1)总体检出超重12.44%,肥胖为3.72%,其中男孩分别为14.38%、4.99%,女孩为10.37%、2.35%。(2)肥胖组及超重组男女儿童的收缩压及舒张压高于90百分位及95百分位者均多于正常体重组,χ2值分别为404.535、618.486,115.912、131.641,P值均<0.005。(3)腰-臀围比值肥胖男孩中有10.89%腰-臀围比值>1.0,肥胖女孩中有75.00%腰-臀围比值>0.85。结论重庆市城区儿童青少年超重检出率为12.44%,肥胖检出率为3.72%。肥胖儿童中的血压升高者明显的多于同年龄同性别正常体重儿童。女孩中心性肥胖高于男孩。     

上海市闵行区学生体质指数分布情况及肥胖流行现状研究

背景　随着我国经济的快速发展,上海市面临着严峻的学生肥胖流行现状。因此,了解上海市学生体质指数（BMI）分布情况及肥胖流行现状,对我国进行儿童肥胖标准的修订和精准干预十分重要。目的　分析上海市闵行区学生BMI分布特征和肥胖流行现状,为我国制定相关卫生政策提供科学证据。方法　从上海市闵行区2016年度学生健康体格检查（以下简称体检）资料中,选取基本人口学信息、身高和体质量资料完整,月龄≥84个月（7岁）且<216个月（18岁）的中小学生作为研究对象,共95 360名（其中男生49 926名、女生45 434名）。采用广义可加模型拟合上海市闵行区中小学生BMI百分位数曲线;并以2010年全国第六次人口普查中7~18岁人口作为标准人口,计算其标准化超重率、肥胖率、超重肥胖合计率。将上海市闵行区中小学生BMI百分位数曲线及计算出的标准化超重率、肥胖率、超重肥胖合计率分别与“2005年九城数据”BMI百分位数曲线（源自教育部组织实施的“2005年中国学生体质与健康调查研究”中来自北京、哈尔滨、西安、上海、南京、武汉、广州、福州、昆明9个城市数据拟合的BMI百分位数曲线）、“2014年中国汉族城市男、女生数据”（源自教育部组织实施的“2014年中国学生体质与健康调研报告”中7~18岁汉族城市样本数据）进行比较。结果　上海市闵行区男、女生BMI百分位数曲线均呈现随年龄增长不断上升的趋势,相同百分位数男生曲线BMI均比女生曲线BMI高,且男女生之间没有交叉。与“2005年九城数据”拟合的BMI百分位数曲线相比,不同性别的上海市闵行区中小学生BMI随年龄上升趋势相同,但在相同年龄时上海市闵行区中小学生BMI均高于“2005年九城数据”。上海市闵行区男生标准化超重率、肥胖率、超重肥胖合计率分别为15.9%、20.6%、36.5%,女生为7.8%、12.8%、20.6%,均高于2014年全国汉族城市男、女生数据标准化水平。小学阶段（7~11岁）：公办学校和Ⅰ类民办学校男生标准化超重肥胖合计率高于Ⅱ类民办学校（χ2值分别为124.36、39.88,P值均<0.001）,公办学校女生超重肥胖合计率高于Ⅰ类、Ⅱ类民办学校（χ2值分别为12.87、43.78,P值均<0.05）。中学阶段（12~18岁）：Ⅰ类民办学校男生标准化超重肥胖合计率高于公办学校（χ2=15.08,P<0.05）,公办学校和Ⅰ类民办学校女生超重肥胖合计率比较,差异无统计学意义（χ2=1.91,P=0.17）。结论　上海市闵行区中小学群体中,男、女生BMI百分位数曲线均呈现随年龄增长不断上升的趋势,相同百分位数男生曲线BMI均较女生曲线BMI高;男生超重率和肥胖率较明显,建议卫生部门和教育部门联合采取社区-学校-家庭联动干预措施,为降低成年期慢性病患病率打好前期基础。     

Overweight and obesity prevalence rates among youth in the Carolinas

Overweight and obesity have become major public health concerns in the United States, reaching epidemic proportions among adults and children in recent years. According to the most recent national surveys, American adults have experienced a 50% increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Moreover, an alarming 100% increase has been observed among children and adolescents since the 1970s. To assess the status of overweight and obesity prevalence among youth in the Carolinas, weight, height, waist, and hip circumferences were monitored during routine cholesterol screenings among 11- to 14-year-olds in two school districts. Of the twelve hundred students screened, 32.4% percent were overweight and 16.4% were obese, exceeding national averages of 22% and 11%, respectively. The overweight and obesity prevalence rates were even more dramatic when broken down by gender and ethnic/racial groups. For instance, 54% of black girls and 45% of black boys were overweight, and better than half of these students were obese. Overweight and obesity prevalence rates among black girls were nearly twice the rates observed for white girls. Ethnic differences in percentage of overweight and obese boys were not as great as those observed among girls. A number of factors may contribute to the unprecedented levels of overweight and obesity observed among American youth, including physical inactivity, poor nutritional habits (i.e., high-fat meals and snacks, and super-sizing), economic, and social factors. Consequently, the coordinated efforts of physicians, school nurses, teachers, parents, and students will be necessary to effectively address the growing problem of childhood obesity.     

上海地区儿童超重和肥胖的评价标准比较

目的比较和分析四种基于身高、体质量的儿童肥胖的评价标准。方法选取上海市2347名7～8岁的儿童,其中男生1175名,女生1172名,测量其身高、体质量,并计算体质量指数。分别采用身高别体质量法（1985）标准（WFH1985标准）、中国肥胖问题工作组儿童青少年体质指数标准（WGOC标准）、欧洲国际肥胖工作组儿童青少年体质指数标准（IOTF标准）与美国疾病预防控制中心儿童青少年体质指数标准（CDC标准）评价儿童超重和肥胖的发生率。结果①男生超重发生率为IOTF标准明显高于其他三个标准（P〈0．05）,女生超重发生率IOTF标准明显高于WGOC标准和CDC标准（P〈0．05）;男生肥胖发生率IOTF标准明显低于其他三个标准（P〈0．01）;女生肥胖发生率IOTF标准明显低于WFH1985标准和WGOC标准（P〈0．01）。②WFH1985标准和WGOC标准对肥胖和超重的评价结果差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论WFH1985标准和WGOC标准比IOTF和CDC标准更适合我国儿童超重和肥胖发生率的筛查。     

Report on childhood obesity in China (7). Comparison of NCHS and WGOC

OBJECTIVE: To test the validity of Working Group on Obesity in China (WGOC) reference in screening childhood obesity using obesity-related metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components as disease risk evidence. METHODS: A total of 2020 adolescents (1007 boys and 1013 girls) aged 14-16 years were sampled in Beijing, China. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements, as well as blood pressure parameters were available. Prevalence of overweight/obesity and related MS risk factors were analyzed across different body mass index (BMI) categories. The sensitivity and specificity of the WGOC cut-offs were compared with those of National Central Health Statistics (NCHS). RESULTS: Significantly high prevalence of MS and its components were found both in the obesity and overweight groups, which were classified by the WGOC and NCHS references. Similar distribution pattern of MS risk factors existed among different BMI categories, but the frequency and clustering of these factors in the obesity group classified by the NCHS were much higher. Owing to its irrelevant high cut-offs for overweight/obesity (especially for girls since the mid- adolescence), the NCHS reference had a high specificity but a low sensitivity. By contrast, the WGOC reference with a high sensitivity (90.1% for boys and 89.2% for girls) and a relative high specificity (96.4% and 92.8% for obese boys and girls, 78.1% and 68.9% for overweight boys and girls respectively) was more suitable to support the need for early screening, intervention, and treatment of childhood obesity in China. CONCLUSION: High sensitivity is more important than specificity in choosing appropriate screening tools for childhood obesity. Validity test demonstrates that it is rational to use the WGOC reference, established on the basis of the Chinese own reference population as a uniform screening tool for childhood obesity, which can effectively overcome the unnecessary treatment and psychosocial implications of stigmatization caused by misclassification.     

3387名卫生学校学生超重、肥胖率和对肥胖危害认知情况的调查

目的 调查廊坊市卫生学校学生超重、肥胖及超重、肥胖学生对肥胖危害认知情况,为干预超重、肥胖提供依据.方法 测量身高、体重,计算学生超重率、肥胖率;自制问卷调查超重、肥胖学生对肥胖危害的认知情况.结果 城市学生超重率为15.12%,肥胖率为5.81%;农村学生超重率为13.57%,肥胖率为4.01%,差异无统计学意义（P ＞ 0.05）.男生超重率为16.87%,肥胖率为6.26%,女生超重率为12.86%,肥胖率为3.62%;男生对于自身超重或肥胖的认知率为51.76%,明显低于女生（91.76%）,差异均有高度统计学意义（P 〈 0.01）.结论 廊坊市卫生学校学生超重、肥胖的发生率较高,城乡差异不明显,男生超重率、肥胖率高于女生,学生对于超重、肥胖的危害认识不足,采取减重措施比例偏低.     

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Australian children and adolescents: reassessment of 1985 and 1995 data against new standard international definitions.

OBJECTIVE: To review the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Australian children and adolescents in two national samples, 10 years apart, using the new standard international definitions of the International Obesity Task Force Childhood Obesity Working Group. DESIGN: Body mass index (BMI) cut-off points defining overweight and obesity were applied to the individual BMI values in the two cross-sectional samples. SETTING: Australian community. PARTICIPANTS: 8,492 schoolchildren aged 7-15 years (Australian Health and Fitness Survey, 1985) and 2,962 children aged 2-18 years (National Nutrition Survey, 1995). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Prevalence of overweight and obesity. RESULTS: In the 1985 sample, 9.3% of boys and 10.6% of girls were overweight and a further 1.7% [corrected] of boys and 1.6% [corrected] of girls were obese. In the 1995 sample, overall 15.0% of boys (varied with age from 10.4% to 20.0%) and 15.8% of girls (varied with age from 14.5% to 17.2%) were overweight, and a further 4.5% of boys (2.4%-6.8%) and 5.3% of girls (4.2%-6.3%) were obese. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the 1995 sample peaked at 12-15 years in boys and 7-11 years in girls. In schoolchildren aged 7-15 years, the rates represent a relative risk of overweight in 1995 compared with 1985 of 1.79 (95% CI, 1.59-2.00) and of obesity of 3.28 (95% CI, 2.51-4.29). Compared with previous estimates from these samples, the revised prevalence data are slightly higher for the 1985 data and considerably higher for the 1995 data. CONCLUSION: The secular trend of increasing overweight and obesity in the decade from 1985 and the high prevalence rates in Australian children and adolescents are a major public health concern.