The relationship between resting blood pressure,body mass index and lean body mass index in British children

Background: Elevated blood pressure (BP) in childhood is associated with overweight and obesity. However, lean body mass index (LBMI, cm²/kg) has been suggested as a better means than body mass index (BMI, kg/m²) by which to consider the relations between weight status and health indices in children.

Objective: To assess the relationship between resting BP and weight status in youth whilst considering BMI and LBMI when examining this issue.

Methods and procedures: Height, body mass and resting blood pressure were assessed in 384 boys and 277 girls, aged 11–14 years from Central England.

Results: SBP was significantly lower in ‘normal weight’ children compared to overweight and obese children and in overweight compared to obese children (both p = 0.0001). DBP was significantly lower in ‘normal weight’ children compared to those classified as overweight (p = 0.006). BMI and LBMI were both significant predictors of SBP and DBP (p = 0.0001). However, LBMI was normally distributed, unlike BMI, and was a better predictor of BP than BMI.

Conclusions: Overweight and obesity is associated with higher resting BP in British children. However, when examining the effect of weight status on BP, the researcher should consider use of LBMI over BMI.     

Bone mineral density is related to blood pressure in men

The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between bone mineral density (BMD) and blood pressure in 214 men, age 20–76. BMD measurements were done by dual X‐ray absorptiometry using a Lunar DPXMD densitometer at the lumbar spine (L2–L4) and different femoral regions. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were measured using an MPC‐350 sphygmomanometer. Physicians gathered demographic data and participants' dietary intake of calcium were determined by using food frequency questionnaires. After adjusting for age, body mass index, dietary calcium, and exercise history, multiple linear regression models showed that DBP was negatively related to femoral neck BMD (β = ?0.145, P = 0.032) and just shy of significant association with femoral neck BMC (β = ?0.114, P = 0.079). SBP was correlated with femoral neck (r = ?0.171, P = 0.012) and Ward's (r = ?0.186, P = 0.006) BMD but not after adjusting for possible confounders. Further studies are needed to determine whether elevated blood pressure is causally related to the development of low bone mass. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:168–171, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Association between time spent in sedentary,moderate to vigorous physical activity,body mass index,cardiorespiratory fitness and blood pressure

Background: Elevated blood pressure (BP) has been reported in young people and seems to be associated with body mass index (BMI) and reduced physical activity (PA).

Aim: This study sought to analyse the association of BP with BMI, PA intensity patterns and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in youth.

Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out including 66 boys (13.91±1.76) and 97 girls (14.02±1.71). Anthropometric characteristics, CRF and BP were assessed during school time and accelerometers were utilized to determine intensity of PA.

Results: The linear regression model, adjusted for age, sex and height, showed that higher values of BMI were associated (p≤0.05) with higher values of systolic blood pressure (SBP) (1.39; 95% CI: 0.56; 2.23) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (1.52; 95% CI: 0.68; 2.37). Additionally, SBP, but not DBP, was inversely associated (p≤0.05) with moderate PA (?0.25; 95% CI: ?0.47; ?0.02) and positively correlated with sedentary activities (0.04; 95% CI: 0.00; 0.08).

Conclusion: The present study showed that BMI and time spent in sedentary activities were inversely associated with SBP. However, time spent in moderate PA was positively associated with SBP. BMI was the single predictor of DBP.     

Body composition trajectories into adolescence according to age at pubertal growth spurt

Objective: To investigate whether the development of body composition into adolescence differs among children with an early, average, or late pubertal growth spurt (age at take‐off [ATO]). Methods: Mixed‐effect polynomial models were applied to serial anthropometric measurements spanning from 4 years before to 4 years after ATO in 215 DONALD participants. Sex‐specific trajectories of fat mass index (FMI, FM/m²), fat‐free mass index (FFMI, FFM/m²), and their z‐scores were compared among those with an early, average, or late ATO. Results: Compared with girls with a late ATO (reference group), those with an early or average ATO experienced a significant increase in FFMI z‐scores [β (standard error) for linear trends in early and average ATO group: +0.15 (0.05) FFMI z‐scores/year (P = 0.001) and +0.11 (0.04) FFMI z‐scores/year (P = 0.005), respectively, adjusted for early life factors]. Similar differences were observed in boys [adjusted β (standard error): +0.20 (0.06) FFMI z‐scores/year (P = 0.0004) and +0.07 (0.05) FFMI z‐scores/year (P = 0.1), respectively]. Graphical illustration of the predicted trajectories revealed that differences in relative FFMI emerged from ATO onward. For FMI, comparison with late maturers showed a more pronounced quadratic trend (kg/m²/years²) (P = 0.01) among early‐maturing girls and a reduced linear trend in FMI z‐scores/year (P = 0.04) among early‐maturing boys. Conclusions: This longitudinal study suggests that children who experience an early pubertal growth spurt accrue progressively more fat‐free mass during the first years of puberty than late‐maturing peers of the same age. Higher levels of adiposity commonly observed in adults with early puberty onset are, thus, likely to develop subsequently in later adolescence. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Obesity correlates with increased blood pressures in urban native American youth

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

Maternal bisphenol a exposure during pregnancy and its association with adipokines in Mexican‐American children

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a high volume production chemical that has been detected in 93% of the United States population. It is thought to have endocrine disrupting activity but human data are limited. In this study, we examined whether prenatal or concurrent urinary BPA concentrations are associated with key metabolism‐related hormones, adiponectin and leptin (adipokines), in 9‐year‐old children. For this analysis, we used 188 mother‐child pairs from the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas (CHAMACOS) prospective study. BPA was measured in urinary spot samples during early (12.6 ± 3.9 weeks gestation) and late (26.3 ± 2.5 weeks gestation) pregnancy and in 9‐year‐old children. We found that BPA concentrations during late pregnancy were associated with increased plasma leptin in boys (β = 0.06, P = 0.01), controlling for maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), pregnancy soda consumption, and smoking, years in US prior to pregnancy, maternal education, household poverty status, child BMI and child soda, fast food and sweet snack consumption at 9 years. Additionally, we found that BPA concentrations during early pregnancy are directly associated with plasma adiponectin levels in girls (β = 3.71, P = 0.03). However, we did not find any significant relationships between concurrent BPA concentrations and 9‐year child adiponectin or leptin. Overall, our data suggest that prenatal BPA concentrations may influence adipokine levels in 9‐year‐old children. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 54:621–628, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Cardiorespiratory fitness predicts later body mass index,but not other cardiovascular risk factors from childhood to adolescence

We analyzed the 5‐year longitudinal relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk factors in children. A total of 153 students (66 boys and 87 girls) were evaluated in 1998 and 2003. Multilevel modeling was used to determine the effect of CRF across time (Model 1, adjusted for time and Model 2—Model 1 with further adjustment for gender and age). In both models, a significant main effect was found for body mass index (BMI) (P ≤ 0.05). Data showed that in children, lower levels of CRF are associated with higher levels of BMI over a 5‐year follow‐up period. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Serial changes in blood pressure from childhood into young adulthood for females in relation to body mass index and maturational age

This study determines: (1) patterns of change from childhood to young adulthood in body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), (2) effects of elevated BMI values on changes in blood pressures (BP), (3) extent of tracking for SBP, DBP, and BMI, and (4) prediction of future risk for elevated BP from earlier values. Annual serial BP and BMI data were available for 198 white females, ages 8–22 years, enrolled in the Fels Longitudinal Study. Patterns of change in BMI were described by a random effects model with a time series model for the correlated residuals. Serial BMI measures were differentiated from age-specific means to measure relative individual BMI levels. Serial BP were analyzed using a similar model to the BMI where relative individual BMI levels were included as an explanatory variable. There was a general increasing trend for SBP, DBP, and BMI from 8–22 years, but the rates of increase declined with age. At the same chronological age, early menarche females had a significantly greater BMI mean value than late menarche females. An average increase of 1 kg/m² in deviation from BMI population means resulted in an average increase of 1.2 mmHg in SBP and 0.6 mmHg in DBP. Having SBP and DBP levels 1 standard deviation above mean levels, relative to females at mean levels, as early as age 9 represents an odds ratio of 2 for exceeding national 75th percentile levels of SBP and DBP at age 21. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 10: 589–598, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Arterial pulse wave velocity and risk factors for peripheral vascular disease

Non-invasive measurement of arterial pulse wave velocity (PWV) is used to diagnose peripheral vascular disease. We examined the relationship between PWV and risk factors related to peripheral vascular disease [body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), serum total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), atherogenic index (AI) and blood glucose (GLU)] in 45 healthy male volunteers, aged 25–85 years. The correlation coefficient of PWV with age was r=0.46, and the correlation coefficients of PWV with DBP, AI and GLU were r=0.71, 0.56, and 0.22, respectively (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that 67% of the variance in PWV could be accounted for by these three variables. The relative contributions of DBP, AI and GLU to PWV were 66%, 26% and 8%, respectively. To test the applicability of PWV for clinical use, a multiple regression equation of PWV derived from these three variables was then applied to male patients with hypertension (n=53), hyperlipidaemia (n=35) or hyperglycaemia (n=39). The results suggest that the multiple regression equation of PWV is an indicator that discriminates between these patient categories and healthy men. Accepted: 8 December 1999     

Gender Differences in the Association between Serum γ-Glutamyltransferase and Blood Pressure Change: A Prospective Community-Based Cohort Study

We evaluated the gender differences in the relation of baseline serum γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels to blood pressure (BP) change during 4 yr. 4,025 normotensive subjects (1,945 men and 2,080 women) who aged 40-69 yr at baseline participated in the Ansung-Ansan cohort of the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study were included. The associations of GGT with baseline BP or 4-yr change of BP were evaluated. GGT levels were associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at baseline after adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, C-reactive protein (CRP), current smoking status and alcohol intake (SBP, β=1.28, P<0.001; DBP, β=1.41, P<0.001). GGT levels were also associated with 4-yr change in BP after adjusting for age, BMI, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, CRP, current smoking status, alcohol intake and SBP (SBP, β=1.08, P=0.001; DBP, β=0.64, P=0.003). This association was statistically significant in men (SBP, β=1.82, P<0.001; DBP, β=1.05, P=0.001), but not in women (SBP, β=0.38, P=0.466; DBP, β=-0.37, P=0.304). Remarkably, this association between GGT and BP was significant in men at 40-49 yr of age. In summary, we found positive associations between GGT levels at baseline and the change of BP. The relation of GGT level and the change of BP was only significant in men, not in women, which warrants further studies to elucidate the biologic mechanisms.

Graphical Abstract

相似文献   

Somatotype and blood pressure of rural South African children aged 6–13 years: Ellisras longitudinal growth and health study

Background: Physique has been useful in assessing the outcome of underlying growth and maturity processes, which leads to a better understanding of variation in child and adult health. However, a high endomorphy rating has been associated with hypertension in adults, posing a serious threat to their health status, while receiving little attention in children.

Aim: The study examined the association between somatotypes, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) in 6–13-year-old rural children, in Ellisras, South Africa.

Subjects: A total of 1902 subjects (980 boys and 922 girls) aged 6–13 years were studied as part of the Ellisras Longitudinal Study. Height, weight, four skinfold sites, two breadths, and two girths were measured according to the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). The Heath–Carter method of somatotyping was used, together with internationally recommended cut-off points for BMI in children. Hypertension, defined as the average of three separate BP readings, where the systolic or diastolic BP is greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for age and sex, was determined.

Results: The prevalence of hypertension ranges from 1 to 5.8% in boys and 3.4–11.4% in girls. The prevalence of overweight ranges from 1.1 to 2.9% in boys and 0.6–4.6% in girls. Systolic BP and BMI showed a significant positive correlation at age 6 years (r?=?0.436) and 10–13 years (r?=?0.180–0.246 in boys and r?=?0.221–0.271 in girls). Diastolic BP showed an insignificant correlation with the BMI and somatotype components in boys and girls.

Conclusion: A significant association exists between BP and BMI, and ectomorphy components even after being adjusted for age, gender and height. The need to manage hypertensive individuals is evident in this sample to combat this chronic disease from an early age. Follow-up studies should investigate the relationship between BP and the dietary intake of these children.     

Subsistence patterns and blood pressure variation in two rural Caboclo communities of Marajó Island,Pará, Brazil

Blood pressure (BP) increases with age in westernized societies, is higher in men, and is correlated with the body mass index (BMI). Traditional societies present more variable patterns of BP. In 1991, BP and anthropometric data from two “Caboclo” (rural populations of mixed ancestry) groups from Marajó Island, Brazil, were collected: The Paricatuba group, (N = 20;12 women), with a subsistence base of fishing, collection of palm fruits, and traditional gardening; and the Praia Grande group (N = 26; 14 women), where subsistence is based on mechanized agriculture. In Paricatuba, mean BP is 109/74 mmHg in men and 101/70 mmHg in women. There are no significant differences between BP of men and women, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) increases with age. Both SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) are associated with weight, but only DBP is associated with the BMI, while SBP is associated with stature. In Praia Grande, mean BP is 120/76 mmHg in men and 118/70 mmHg in women, with no significant differences between the sexes. In Praia Grande, SBP is higher than in Paricatuba, and both SBP and DBP are associated with age. Compared with urban groups, both Caboclo samples have low BP. Still, differences in BP and body habitus between the two groups support a hypothesis that degree of westernization influences mean levels of BP in rural Amazonian populations. Further, the results also may be interpreted as suggesting that associations of sex, age, and BMI with BP, commonly reported in urban samples, are a byproduct of westernization rather than a result of genetic factors. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Discovery of a novel epigenetic cancer marker related to the oxidative status of human blood

Long‐lasting oxidative stress exposure may lead to relatively stable epigenetic modifications of the DNA in order to activate anti‐oxidative defence mechanisms. Oxidative stress related DNA methylation may therefore be associated (causally or as a by‐product) with cancer. We measured derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (D‐ROM), total thiol levels (TTL) and DNA methylation with the Illumina Infinium 450K BeadChip in three samples of German individuals aged ≥50 years: n = 1,000 ESTHER study baseline participants (DNA methylation only), n = 99 ESTHER eight‐year follow‐up participants and n = 142 participants of the BLITZ study. The correlation coefficient of methylation at cg10342304 and D‐ROM in the ESTHER 8‐year follow‐up sample (r = ?0.427; P = 1 × 10^?5) was replicated with a P‐value indicating statistical significance after correction for multiple testing in the BLITZ sample (r = ?0.192; P = 0.022). The association was robust to adjusting for potential confounders. In the ESTHER baseline sample, the hazard ratio for cancer development in 11 years of follow‐up comparing bottom and top quartile of DNA methylation at cg10342304 was 1.86 (95%‐confidence‐interval 1.01–3.43). In summary, this first epigenome‐wide screening and replication study with oxidative status markers observed a negative correlation of D‐ROM levels and DNA methylation at cg10342304 in two independent cohorts. This CpG site is located in the body region of the nucleoredoxin gene. The nucleoredoxin protein is a redox‐dependent inhibitor of the Wnt/ß‐catenin signaling pathway, a well‐characterized cancer pathway. If the observed CpG‐cancer association can be successfully replicated by other studies, this epigenetic marker could be an interesting biomarker of cancer risk. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Change in body mass index is a stronger predictor of change in fat mass than lean mass in elderly black and white women

The aim of this study was to determine the relation between change in body mass index (BMI) and changes in fat mass (FM), lean soft tissue (LST), and percentage body fat (%Fat) in elderly (67.6 ± 6.0 years) women varying in race (53 black, 144 white) who underwent measurements of BMI, FM, LST, and %Fat at baseline and after 2 years. The group did not markedly change body composition over 2 years (BMI = ?0.1 ± 1.5 kg/m², P = 0.53; FM = 0.0 ± 2.8 kg, P = 0.95; LST = ?0.4 ± 1.7 kg, P < 0.001; %Fat = 0.3 ± 2.0%, P = 0.06). Change in BMI predicted change in FM (r = 0.90, SEE = 1.19 kg FM, P < 0.001) but was less predictive of change in %Fat (r = 0.64, SEE = 1.54%Fat, P < 0.001). Change in BMI was curvilinearly related to change in LST adjusted for change in height (R = 0.76, SEE = 1.10 kg LST, P < 0.001). Change in BMI more strongly predicts change in FM than LST and could be used to monitor change in FM in community‐dwelling women. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Evaluation of a New Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor (Accutracker 102): Laboratory Comparisons With Direct Arterial Pressure, Stethoscopic Auscultatory Pressure, and Readings From a Similar Monitor (Spacelabs Model 5200)

Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure levels generated by a new noninvasive ambulatory monitor, the Accutracker 102, were compared in the laboratory with intra-arterial pressure levels in 12 normotensive men, and with stethoscopic auscultatory determinations in 27 normotensive and hypertensive men and women over a wide range of within-subject pressure variations. In 11 subjects, its performance was also compared with another ambulatory monitor, the Spacelabs Model 5200. Highly positive correlations with both the intra-arterial (median r=+.90 for SBP, +.92 for DBP) and the stethoscopic standards (median r=+.93 for SBP, +.88 for DBP) were obtained using Accutracker's automatic readings (digital readout), while slightly higher correlations were obtained with hand-scoring of recorded data. The Spacelabs BP monitor also yielded readings that were highly correlated with stethoscopic readings (median r=+.83 for SBP, +.77 for DBP), although in 3 of the 11 subjects the Accutracker correlations were substantially higher than the Spacelabs correlations. Despite their generally good tracking of changes in pressure, both ambulatory monitors yielded absolute values in many subjects that differed by 5 mmHg or more from stethoscopic levels. The Accutracker's SBP levels were consistently too high and its DBP levels were occasionally too low, while Spacelabs' SBP and DBP values were too high and too low with equal frequency. However, mean deviation scores for each patient calculated from 5 concurrent ambulatory monitor and stethoscopic readings were shown to yield relatively stable correction factors for use when comparison with clinical standards is desired.     

Physical activity, cardio-respiratory fitness, and metabolic traits in rural Mexican Tarahumara

Objectives: To study the association between physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) and cardio‐respiratory fitness (CRF) with key metabolic traits and anthropometric measures in the Tarahumara of Mexico. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was carried out in five rural communities in Chihuahua, México including 64 adult Tarahumara, mean (SD) age 40.7 (12.9) years. Using a combined accelerometer and heart rate sensor, PAEE was measured over three consecutive days and nights and a sub‐maximal step test was carried out in order to (1) calibrate heart rate at the individual level and (2) to estimate CRF. Random blood glucose level and resting blood pressure (BP) were measured with standard anthropometrics. Results: Mean (SD) PAEE was 71.2 (30.3) kJ kg^?1 day^?1 and CRF was 36.6 (6.5) mlO₂ min^?1 kg^?1. Mean (SD) glucose was 127.9 (32.4) mg/dl, with 3.3% having diabetes. Mean (SD) systolic and diastolic BP was 122 (20.8) and 82 (14.8) mm Hg, respectively, with 28.1% having hypertension. Mean body mass index was 27.5 (4.2) kg m^?2, with 71.9% being overweight. Following adjustment for age and sex, weak inverse associations were observed between PAEE and systolic BP (β = ?0.20, P = 0.27) and diastolic BP (β = ?0.16, P = 0.23); and between CRF and systolic BP (β = ?0.51, P = 0.14) and diastolic BP (β = ?0.53, P = 0.06). The inverse associations with glucose were also weak and not statistically significant for neither PAEE (β = ?0.01, P = 0.63) nor CRF (β = ?0.05, P = 0.27). Conclusions: This study suggests high levels of overweight and hypertension in the Tarahumara, and points to fitness and physical activity as potential intervention targets although findings should be confirmed in larger samples. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Relationship between body composition changes and the blood pressure response to exercise test in overweight Japanese subjects

We investigated the link between changes in body composition and the blood pressure (BP) response to exercise in overweight Japanese by a retrospective clinical study carried out over a 3-year period. We analyzed data for 38 overweight Japanese aged 22-69 years (47.8 +- 11.4) at baseline. Among the participants, 32 overweight subjects (body mass index : BMI, 29.0 +- 3.0 kg/m2) were further analyzed with a 3-year follow up. BP at rest, the BP response to an exercise test, the aerobic exercise-level determined ventilatory threshold (VT), and body composition were evaluated at an interval of 1 year. During the study period, there were 6 drop outs, who started to receive anti-hypertensive drugs because of the development of hypertension. Based on analysis of follow up data, parameters of body composition were significantly reduced over the 3 years. Systolic BP (SBP) at rest and at VT was also reduced. In addition, delta SBP (Delta: delta represents positive change in parameters) at VT was positively correlated with Delta parameters of body composition over the 3 years. In overweight subjects with increased body weight, there was a significant time (pre vs year 3) effect and interactions by 2 factor-factorial ANOVA. The present study indicates that changes in body composition are closely linked to the SBP response to an exercise test.     

Validity of newly-developed BMI and waist cut-off values for Sri Lankan children

Background: Excess body fat leads to obesity-related morbidity and population/ethnicity-specific cut-off values of anthropometric measures are useful for better diagnosis. This study assesses the suitability of newly-developed Sri Lankan anthropometric cut-off values in the diagnosis of obesity in Sri Lankan children.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at University of Colombo, Sri Lanka involving 5–15 year old children. Height, weight, waist (WC), and hip (HC) circumferences were measured. Total body fat (FM) was measured using whole body BIA. WHR and WHtR were calculated. Validity of anthropometric measures in detecting childhood obesity (Sri Lankan BMI/WC; IOTF, WHO, British and CDC BMI and British WC cut-off values) were evaluated.

Results: Nine hundred and twenty children were assessed. FM showed significant associations with BMI (r = 0.92, p < 0.001), WC (r = 0.90, p < 0.001) and HC (r = 0.85, p < 0.001), but poor association with WHR (r = 0.17, p < 0.001). However, WHtR had a high association with FM (r = 0.75, p < 0.001) and %FM (r = 0.78, p < 0.001). Based on %FM cut-offs, 85 (22.8%) girls and 101 (18.5%) boys were obese. All international anthropometric cut-off values under-estimated obesity. Sri Lankan WC and BMI cut-off values over-estimated obesity. International BMI based cut-off values had high specificity (>99%) but a low sensitivity (～12–33%), while Sri Lankan BMI cut-off values had high sensitivity (>93.1) but low specificity (>79.7).

Conclusions: Internationally available BMI cut-off values are poor in diagnosing obesity in Sri Lankan children. Newly developed Sri Lankan BMI cut-off values for children improved the diagnosis. WC can be used successfully as an alternative diagnostic tool of obesity.     

Body mass index in young children and allergic disease: gender differences in a longitudinal study

Background The increase in allergic diseases has occurred in parallel with the obesity epidemic, suggesting a possible association. Objective We investigated the relationship of body mass index (BMI) up to age 8 years with allergic disease within a birth cohort. Methods Children were followed from birth and were reviewed at age 3, 5 and 8 years (n=731; male 406). Parents completed questionnaires; children were weighed, measured, skin prick tested and examined. Results Increasing BMI at 3, 5 and 8 years increased the risk of current wheezing at the corresponding age (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] per standardized deviation score: age 3, 1.26 [1.04–1.53], P=0.02; age 5, 1.33 [1.06–1.67], P=0.02; age 8, 1.27 [1.0–1.62], P=0.05). The effect of BMI on wheeze at age 8 years differed between boys and girls, with a significant positive association in girls, but not in boys (P=0.04 for interaction). The effect of BMI at earlier ages on current or subsequent wheezing did not differ significantly between genders. Increasing BMI significantly increased the risk of physician‐diagnosed eczema at age 5 (1.23 [1.04–1.47], P=0.02) and 8 (1.23 [1.03–1.45], P=0.02), with a significant interaction between gender and BMI at age 5 (P=0.04). There was no association between BMI and sensitization. Being overweight at age 3 years was significantly associated with late‐onset wheeze (3.83 [1.51–9.75], P=0.005), persistent wheeze (4.15 [2.07–8.32], P<0.001) and persistent eczema (1.79 [1.03–3.13], P=0.04) in both boys and girls. Conclusions Being overweight is associated with an increased risk of allergic disease in childhood. However, the strength of the association varies with the gender, age and atopic phenotype. Cite this as: C. S. Murray, D. Canoy, I. Buchan, A. Woodcock, A. Simpson and A. Custovic, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2011 (41) 78–85.