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Population-based waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio reference values in preschool children |
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| Authors: | Josefine Roswall Stefan Bergman Gerd Almqvist-Tangen Bernt Alm Aimon Niklasson reas FM Nierop Jovanna Dahlgren |
| Affiliation: | Department of Paediatrics, County Hospital, Halmstad, Sweden; Department of Paediatrics, Institute for Clinical Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Research and Development Centre, Spenshult Hospital, Oskarström, Sweden; Child Healthcare Team, County of Halland, Sweden; MUVARA, Leiderdorp, The Netherlands |
| Abstract: | Aim: To establish new reference values for measurements of waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio in preschool children. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional study of 4502 children aged 0–5 years derived from child health care in a Swedish county. Measurements of weight, height and waist circumference were recorded using a standardized procedure. Results: New reference values for waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio for preschool children are presented. Reference charts were constructed and are presented. Waist circumference increased with age (r = 0.80, p < 0.001). After adjustment to the individual height, expressed as waist-to-height ratio, there was an inverse correlation to age during the first 5 years of age (r = −0.87, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The new reference values for waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio for Swedish preschool children enable future identification of new risk populations for childhood obesity. For clinicians, new reference charts for these two variables are provided for practical use. |
| Keywords: | Growth standards Obesity Overweight Waist circumference Waist-to-height ratio |