scholarly journals Dressed or undressed? How to measure children's body weight in overweight surveillance?

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 2715-2720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Censi ◽  
Angela Spinelli ◽  
Romana Roccaldo ◽  
Noemi Bevilacqua ◽  
Anna Lamberti ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo simplify body weight measurement and, particularly, to encourage children and their parents to participate in the Italian nutritional surveillance system OKkio alla SALUTE, children were measured with clothes and then the weight was corrected for the estimated weight of the clothes. In the present study we compared the children's weight measured in underwear, as recommended by the WHO (WWHO), with that obtained using the OKkio alla SALUTE protocol (WOK) and investigated how the latter affects the calculation of BMI and the assessment of overweight and obesity prevalence.DesignWeight (twice in close sequence, with and without clothing) and height were measured. A checklist was used to describe the type of clothing worn. The estimated weight of clothing was subtracted from the WOK. BMI was calculated considering both values of weight and height; ponderal status was defined using both the International Obesity Task Force and WHO BMI cut-offs.SettingThirty-seven third grade classes of thirteen primary schools in Rome and in two towns in the Lazio Region were recruited.SubjectsThe anthropometric measurements were taken on 524 children aged 8–9 years.ResultsThe error in the calculation of BMI from WOK was very low, 0·005 kg/m2 (95 % CI −0·185, 0·195 kg/m2); the agreement between the percentages of overweight (not including obesity) and obese children calculated with the two methods was very close to 1 (κ = 0·98).ConclusionsThe error in BMI and in nutritional classification can be considered minor in a surveillance system for monitoring overweight/obesity, but eases the procedure for measuring children.

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 437-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dartagnan Pinto Guedes ◽  
Francisléia Nascimento Almeida ◽  
Jaime Tolentino M. Neto ◽  
Maria de Fátima de M. Maia ◽  
Thatiana Maia Tolentino

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of low body weight/thinness, overweight and obesity in a representative sample of children and adolescents from a Brazilian region with low economic development. METHODS: A total of 982 girls and 986 boys, aged seven to 17 years old and assisted by Segundo Tempo Program, from Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil, were included in the study. Low body weight/thinness, overweight and obesity were defined based on body mass cut-off indexes recommended by the International Obesity Task Force. The prevalence of the nutritional status according to sex and age was compared by chi-square test. RESULTS: In girls, the frequency of low body weight/thinness, overweight and obesity was 4.1, 18.4 and 3.8%, respectively; in boys, these percentages were 6.3, 13.2 and 2.9%, respectively. The low body weight/thinness for girls raised from 2.7% (7-10 years old) to 5.5% (15-17 years old); the body weight excess (overweight and obesity) decreased from 30.1 to 16.2% for the same age groups. In boys, the corresponding trends were from 3.2 to 9.4% for low body weight/thinness, and from 23.4 to 9.2%, for body weight excess. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that, even in a region with low economic status, the body weight excess was the main problem associated with nutritional health. The high overweight and obesity prevalence rates indicate the need of public policies for promoting healthy feeding behaviors and physical activity.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 55
Author(s):  
Joanna McKersie ◽  
Maryna Louise Baard

Objective. The primary aim of this study was to quantify the prevalence of overweight and obesity among urban 7 - 10-year-old children in affluent (quintile 5) English-medium primary schools in Port Elizabeth.Method. A quantitative, descriptive one-way cross-sectional research design utilising random sampling was used. A once-off survey consisted of anthropometrical assessment of body mass index (BMI) according to standardised procedures. To classify children into weight categories, the International Obesity Task Force z-score BMI cut-off criteria were used. Post-hoc analysis consisted of one-way analysis of variance and χ2 tests. Level of significance was set at p<0.05. A total of 713 children participated in the study.Results. Overweight prevalence was 20.9% (n=149) and obesity prevalence was 9.8% (n=70). A significant interaction was found for overweight and obesity levels by gender and age (F=7.2, p=0.01). Of the boys (N=372) 18.5% (n=69) were overweight and 6.9% (n=26) were obese. The girls (N=341) had a 23.5% (n=80) overweight rate and 12,9% (n=44) were obese. The highest prevalence of overweight (24.7%, n=43, N=174) was found in children aged 10, and the highest prevalence of obesity (12.5%, n=21, N=167) was found in children aged 8. Conclusion. Results highlighted the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity among urban children from economically privileged settings. Future research into paediatric obesity is needed to curb the growing incidence.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 3078-3085 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Lazzeri ◽  
Donatella Panatto ◽  
Andrea Pammolli ◽  
Elena Azzolini ◽  
Rita Simi ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence and time trends in childhood overweight including obesity and obesity among Tuscan children from 2002 to 2012.DesignCross-sectional study at five time points (Tuscan Nutritional Surveillance Surveys conducted in the years of 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012). Trained personnel directly measured the height and weight of the subjects. BMI was assessed by means of the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and WHO cut-offs.SettingRepresentative sample of children in the Tuscany region (Italy).SubjectsChildren (n 7183) aged between 7·5 and 9·5 years (3711 boys and 3472 girls).ResultsWith respect to the estimation of the absolute prevalence level of childhood overweight, a discrepancy was observed between the two criteria. In all surveys, more boys than girls were overweight (including obesity). Trend analysis showed a significant decrease in the prevalence of overweight including obesity and obesity in Tuscan children from 2002 to 2012 (32·0 % v. 25·8 %, P<0·001 on using IOTF criteria and 37·7 % v. 34·3 %, P<0·001 on using WHO criteria for overweight including obesity; and 10·0 % v. 6·7 %, P<0·001 on using IOTF criteria and 12·5 % v. 11·3 %, P=0·035 on using WHO criteria for obesity).ConclusionsThe present study is the first report from an Italian region showing a significant decrease in childhood obesity and overweight in the last 10 years. This reduction is probably a result of regional and local actions that have taken place in many sectors of society. However, efforts should be made to lower the prevalence of childhood obesity and overweight further.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 341
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Varagiannis ◽  
Emmanuella Magriplis ◽  
Grigoris Risvas ◽  
Katerina Vamvouka ◽  
Adamantia Nisianaki ◽  
...  

Childhood overweight and obesity prevalence has risen dramatically in the past decades, and family-based interventions may be an effective method to improve children’s eating behaviors. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of three different family-based interventions: group-based, individual-based, or by website approach. Parents and school aged overweight or obese children, 8–12 years of age, were eligible for the study. A total of 115 children were randomly allocated in one of the three interventions, and 91 completed the study (79% compliance); Group 1 (n = 36) received group-based interventions by various experts; Group 2 (n = 30) had interpersonal family meetings with a dietitian; and Group 3 (n = 25) received training through a specifically developed website. Anthropometric, dietary, physical activity, and screen time outcomes were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. Within-group comparisons indicated significant improvement in body weight, body mass index (BMI)-z-score, physical activity, and screen time from baseline in all three study groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, total body fat percentage (%TBF) was also decreased in Groups 2 and 3. Between-group differences varied with body weight and %TBF change, being larger in Group 3 compared to Groups 1 and 2, in contrast to BMI-z-score, screen time, and health behaviors, which were significantly larger in Group 2 than the other two groups. In conclusion, personalized family-based interventions are recommended to successfully improve children’s lifestyle and body weight status.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1048-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herbert Sagbo ◽  
Didier Koumavi Ekouevi ◽  
Dorland Tafitarilova Ranjandriarison ◽  
Serge Niangoran ◽  
Tchaa Abalo Bakai ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveOverweight and obesity in childhood are serious public health issues, both in developing and developed countries. The present study aimed to ascertain overweight and obesity prevalence rates among Togolese schoolchildren in Lomé, Togo, and their correlation with physical activity, socio-economic conditions and eating habits.DesignCross-sectional survey conducted in December 2015. Overweight and obesity were defined using age- and sex-specific BMI cut-off points of the International Obesity Task Force. Physical activity, socio-economic conditions and eating habits were assessed with a standardized questionnaire. Specially trained medical students interviewed children and collected the data. After bivariate regression analyses, factors associated with overweight/obesity were identified by multivariate logistic regression. Statistical significance was two-sided P<0·05.SettingLomé, Togo.SubjectsRepresentative sample of 634 children (288 boys, 346 girls), aged 8–17 years, who were studying in primary schools.ResultsOverweight and obesity respectively affected 5·2 and 1·9 % of children surveyed. Watching television (>4 h) on weekends (OR; 95 % CI: 3·8; 1·2, 12·0, P=0·02) and medium dietary diversity score (3·0; 1·1, 8·1, P=0·03) were independently associated with overweight/obesity in a multivariate regression model. Eating breakfast in the school cafeteria (0·2; 0·1, 0·8, P=0·03) and eating fruits (0·4; 0·1, 0·9, P=0·03) significantly reduced the risk of overweight/obesity.ConclusionsOverweight and obesity prevalence were linked with sedentary behaviour and non-optimal food diversity. Promoting physical activity and fruit consumption should be explored as interventions to reduce and prevent overweight and obesity in Lomé schoolchildren. In addition, preventive approaches in the social environment of children should be considered.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Deszczyńska ◽  
Paweł Piątkiewicz ◽  
Renata Górska

Introduction. Improper eating habits among children and adolescents often lead to overweight and obesity. Research indicates that these are risk factors for many diseases, including diseases in the oral cavity. Aim. To analyse the correlations of selected parameters of dental and periodontal health as well as oral hygiene status in overweight and obese children and adolescents versus control group. Material and methods. The study included 120 patients aged 11-18 years, who were classified into a study group with 60 overweight/obese individuals and a control group of 60 individuals with normal body weight based on BMI (Body Mass Index). Each patient underwent anthropometric measurements, such as height (cm), body weight (kg), which were used to calculate BMI (Body Mass Index). Additional measurements were taken of waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC), to obtain the waist-hip ratio (WHR). Clinical examination of the oral cavity included an assessment of dentition (DMF), oral hygiene API (Approximal Plaque Index) and periodontal tissue (PD – Pocket Depth, CAL – Clinical Attachment Level, %BOP – % Bleeding On Probing) and CPITN (The Community Periodontal Index for Treatment Needs). Results. Statistically significant differences were found between patient groups with BMI ≥ 25 and BMI < 25 in the values of the following parameters: DMF p = 0.005, API p < 0.001, %BOP p < 0.001, PD p < 0.001, CPI p < 0.001. Conclusions. Overweight and obese children were found to have have worse parameters of dental and periodontal health as well as oral hygiene status compared to the group with normal weight. Our observations indicate that overweight and obesity may be potential risk factors for periodontal diseases in the study group.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 796-801 ◽  
Author(s):  
J A de Wilde ◽  
M Eilander ◽  
B J C Middelkoop

Abstract Background Studies on the influence of neighbourhood socioeconomic status (N-SES) on overweight and obesity rates in children from different ethnic backgrounds are scarce. This study investigated the differential effect of N-SES on overweight (including obesity) and obesity prevalence in different ethnic groups, and if N-SES explains ethnic differences in the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Design A population based study of 109 766 body mass index (BMI) measurements of 86 209 children 2–15 years of Dutch, Turkish, Moroccan and South Asian descent. BMI class was determined with The International Obesity Task Force, and South Asian specific BMI cut-offs. WHO BMI criteria were applied for reference purposes. The effect of N-SES on prevalence rates was studied with generalized linear mixed models. Results Neighbourhood SES was negatively associated with overweight and obesity. However, the effect of N-SES on overweight was stronger in Dutch children (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.73–0.77) than in Turkish (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.82–0.90), Moroccan (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.86–0.97) and South Asian (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.84–0.96) children. The influence of N-SES on obesity showed a similar pattern, except for Moroccan children in whom obesity prevalence remained stable over the whole N-SES range. At the same N-SES, overweight and obesity prevalence was significantly higher in Turkish, Moroccan and especially South Asian children compared with Dutch children. Adjusting for N-SES attenuated the ethnic differences. Conclusions Neighbourhood SES was negatively associated with overweight and obesity rates in all ethnic groups, but only partly explained the ethnic differences in overweight and obesity prevalence.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (15) ◽  
pp. 2663-2670
Author(s):  
Jennifer D Lau ◽  
Laminasti Elbaar ◽  
Eda Chao ◽  
Olivia Zhong ◽  
Chihang Ray Yu ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:The aim is to determine the disparity between the overweight and obesity prevalence of Chinese American school-aged children and adolescents as measured by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth reference and the prevalence as measured by international and ethnic-specific-growth references.Design:This retrospective, cross-sectional study measured overweight and obesity prevalence among a paediatric population using the CDC, International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), World Health Organization (WHO) and an ethnic Chinese growth curve.Setting:A community health centre in New York City, USA.Participants:Chinese American children aged 6–17 years in 2017 (N 9160).Results:The overweight prevalence was 24 % (CDC), 23 % (IOTF), 30 % (WHO) and 31 % (China). The obesity prevalence was 10 % (CDC), 5 % (IOTF), 10 % (WHO) and 10 % (China). When disaggregated by age and sex, the difference was the most prominent in girls; using the China reference compared with using the CDC reference almost doubles the overweight prevalence (school-aged: 31 v. 17 %, P < 0·001, adolescent: 27 v. 14 %, P < 0·001) and the obesity prevalence (school-aged: 11 v. 5 %, P < 0·001, adolescent: 7 v. 4 %, P < 0·001).Conclusions:Use of the CDC reference compared with the Chinese ethnic-specific reference results in lower overweight and obesity prevalence in Chinese American girls. Almost half of the girls who were overweight and half of the girls who were obese were not identified using the CDC reference. Using ethnic-specific references or ethnic-specific cut-points may help improve overweight identification for Chinese American children.


2012 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARIA CHRZANOWSKA ◽  
TERESA ŁASKA-MIERZEJEWSKA ◽  
AGNIESZKA SUDER

SummarySeveral studies have documented increased prevalence of overweight and obesity in inhabitants of rural regions, but determinants of their prevalence are complex and not always in one direction. The aim of this study was to estimate both the prevalence and extent of overweight and obesity among rural girls in Poland between 1987 and 2001, as well as to assess differentiation of the phenomenon between regions of different social structures. The data come from two series of cross-sectional studies; the first in 1987 included 7764 girls, and the second in 2001 included 9431 girls aged 9–18. Body mass index (according to the International Obesity Task Force, IOTF) and the EOW index (extent of overweight), which shows by what mean BMI value the overweight boundaries are exceeded, were calculated. Overweight and obesity prevalences in the whole sample, were, respectively, 14.9% and 2.7% in 1987 and 15.5% and 2.5% in 2001, but significant differentiation in the direction of the changes was observed between the examined regions. In one of them, characterized by sudden, mass and long-term unemployment, there was a considerable decrease in overweight and obesity prevalence, whereas in a relatively wealthier region no changes were observed during the 14-year period. Two other regions with a relatively low standard of living and low incomes and education status presented a significant increase in overweight and obesity prevalence. The EOW index increased from 1.9 to 2.1 in the whole examined sample, and it also confirmed significant differences in expansion of overweight and obesity between the examined regions. The complex character of political and socioeconomic changes in Poland during the 1990s has resulted in two-directional changes in biological measures of living conditions. The analysis of the whole sample led to different results in comparison to separate analyses of each of the examined regions.


Author(s):  
E. V. Shrayner ◽  
N. V. Kokh ◽  
G. I. Lifshits

Aim. The aim of work was to study the existing environmental risk factors for overweight and obesity in preschool and primary school children living in Novosibirsk.Material and Methods. The study included 56 patients who visited a pediatrician or endocrinologist in Clinic of New Medical Technology Center, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine. We used the individual food preference questionnaire developed based on the most common foods affecting body weight gain according to data of World Health Organization (WHO). Physical inactivity was assessment using a questionnaire developed based on the materials the International Physical Activity Prevalence Study. Children were divided into groups according consumption of carbohydrates: group 1 comprised children with excess consumption of carbohydrates; children of group 2 consumed normal amount of carbohydrates. The examined children included 21 children with normal body weight (10 boys and 11 girls with the average age of 7.19 ± 0.56 years); 35 children were overweight/obese (15 boys and 20 girls with the average age of 7.37 ± 0.35 years). A group of children with sleep time less than eight hours was assigned depending on sleep duration assessment.Results and discussion. The study included 56 children including 21 patients with normal body weight (37.5%), seven overweight children (12.5%), and 28 obese children (50%). The following significant differences were found between groups of obese and control children: physical inactivity was detected in 71.4% out of 35 obese children and in 23.8% of children in control group (p < 0.005, χ2 = 10.12). Sleep duration less than eight hours was observed in 34.3% of obese children and in 4.7% of healthy children (p < 0.01). Excessive consumption of carbohydrates was observed in 65.7% of obese children and in 19% of children with normal weight (p < 0.001). Intake of complex carbohydrates was approximately the same in both groups.Conclusion. We identified the following risk factors for overweight and obesity in our study: (1) factors contributing to obesity were physical inactivity, excessive consumption of carbohydrates, and impaired sleep-wakefulness pattern due to decrease in sleep time at night less than eight hours; (2) consumption of recommended amounts of fresh fruits and berries was protective against overweight and obesity.


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