scholarly journals BMI status relative to international and national growth references among Pakistani school-age girls

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asima Karim ◽  
Rizwan Qaisar

Abstract Background A sizable proportion of school going children from developing countries has abnormal growth parameters, which are often not standardized with international reference values. We intended to evaluate the prevalence of BMI status in schoolgirls of the Punjab by using international and national references. Methods In this population based cross-sectional study, 10,050 school-going girls aged 8–16 years from 12 districts of northern, central and southern Punjab were recruited. Estimates of normal weight, underweight, overweight and obesity were calculated in the girls according to three international BMI references including centres for disease control (CDC) 2000, international obesity task force (IOTF) 2012 and world health organisation (WHO) 2007 in addition to national reference for population under study. We used Cohen’s kappa statistics to analyse agreement of our data with reference values. Results There was marked overestimation of underweight (23.9%, 14.5%, 15.2% and 4.37%), slight underestimation of overweight (5.3%, 7.3%, 7.9% and 8.97%) and moderate underestimation of obesity (1.9%, 1.5%, 2.2% and 5.67%) according to CDC, IOTF, WHO and local reference, respectively. When the weight status of the study cohort was compared with the local data, we found comparable results in all the four weight categories. Conclusion We recommend selection of appropriate reference to estimate prevalence of weight status in school-age girls for devising strategies for public health policy and management.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rizwan Qaisar ◽  
Asima Karim

Abstract Background A sizable proportion of school-going children from developing countries has abnormal growth parameters, often not standardized with international reference values. We aimed to assess the prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity in the schoolgirls of Punjab according to international and local references. Methods In this population-based cross-sectional study, 10,050 school-going girls aged 8–16 years from 12 districts of northern, central, and southern Punjab were recruited. Estimates of normal weight, underweight, overweight and obesity were calculated in the girls according to three international BMI references including centers for disease control (CDC) 2000, the international obesity task force (IOTF) 2012 and world health organisation (WHO) 2007 in addition to a local reference for the population under study. We used Cohen’s kappa statistics to analyse the agreement of our data with reference values. Results There was marked overestimation of underweight (23.9%, 14.5%, 15.2% and 4.37%), slight underestimation of overweight (5.3%, 7.3%, 7.9% and 8.97%) and moderate underestimation of obesity (1.9%, 1.5%, 2.2% and 5.67%) according to CDC, IOTF, WHO and local reference, respectively. When the weight status of the study cohort was compared with the local data, we found comparable results in all four weight categories. Conclusion We recommend population-wide further studies to estimate the prevalence of weight status in school-age girls for devising appropriate references and for planning strategies for public health policy and management.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asima Karim ◽  
Rizwan Qaisar

Abstract Background A sizable proportion of school-going children from developing countries has abnormal growth parameters, which are often not standardized with international reference values. We aimed to assess the prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity in the schoolgirls of Punjab according to international and local references. Methods In this population-based cross-sectional study, 10,050 school-going girls aged 8-16 years from 12 districts of northern, central, and southern Punjab were recruited. Estimates of normal weight, underweight, overweight and obesity were calculated in the girls according to three international BMI references including centers for disease control (CDC) 2000, the international obesity task force (IOTF) 2012 and world health organisation (WHO) 2007 in addition to a local reference for the population under study. We used Cohen's kappa statistics to analyse the agreement of our data with reference values. Results There was marked overestimation of underweight (23.9%, 14.5%, 15.2% and 4.37%), slight underestimation of overweight (5.3%, 7.3%, 7.9% and 8.97%) and moderate underestimation of obesity (1.9%, 1.5%, 2.2% and 5.67%) according to CDC, IOTF, WHO and local reference, respectively. When the weight status of the study cohort was compared with the local data, we found comparable results in all the four weight categories. Conclusion We recommend population-wide further studies to estimate the prevalence of weight status in school-age girls for devising appropriate references and for planning strategies for public health policy and management.


Obesity Facts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catharina Sarkkola ◽  
Jannina Viljakainen ◽  
Rejane Augusta de Oliveira Figueiredo ◽  
Antti Saari ◽  
Sohvi Lommi ◽  
...  

Introduction: The global epidemic of obesity concerns children, and monitoring the prevalence is of highest priority. Body mass index (BMI) with age- and sex-specific cut-off values determine 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 cut-off values for overweight agree with the criteria for central obesity. Methods: This study includes 10 646 children aged 9─12 years from the Finnish Health in Teens (Fin-HIT) cohort. Height, weight and waist circumference were measured in 2011─2014. BMI (weight [kg]/height [m]2) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR; waist [cm]/height [cm]) were calculated. The WHtR cut-off 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 WHtR. Results: The 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 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%). Conclusion: Our 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 cut-off values for overweight with central obesity. The choice of reference system affects the generalizability of the research results.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Predrag Bozic ◽  
Visnja Djordjic ◽  
Lidija Markovic ◽  
Dragan Cvejic ◽  
Nebojsa Trajkovic ◽  
...  

The purpose of the present cross-sectional study was to examine dietary patterns and the prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity among Serbian children. Furthermore, the study analyzed the association between dietary patterns and weight status. A nationally representative sample of 6–9-year-old children (n = 3,067) was evaluated as part of the Fifth Round World Health Organization European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative. The children's height and weight were measured by trained field examiners, while their parents or guardians filled paper versions of the food frequency questionnaire to collect information related to the child's breakfast habits and food and beverage intake. According to the International Obesity Task Force cut-off points, the overall prevalence of overweight (including obesity) and underweight were 28.9 and 8.1%, respectively. The majority of parents reported that their children (84.5%) had breakfast every day, while only 39.5 and 37% of children had daily fruit and vegetable consumption, respectively. The children who do not eat breakfast every day are more likely to be obese (OR = 1.50), while a higher intake frequency of nutrient-poor beverages such as soft drinks increases the risk of being not only overweight (OR = 1.32) but also underweight (OR = 1.39). Regular monitoring and understanding of dietary patterns and weight status is crucial to inform, design, and implement strategies to reduce national and global diet and obesity-related diseases. Urgent actions need to be taken from public policymakers to stop and reverse the increasing trend of overweight (including obesity) among Serbian children.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann Zarb ◽  
John Xerri de Caro ◽  
Claire Copperstone

AbstractIntroductionEarly eating behavioural traits could contribute to development of weight problems later in life. Evidence suggests children living in higher-poverty areas are at higher risk of overweight and obesity. The main objective was to investigate possible associations between weight status, eating and sedentary behaviours in pre-school children living in an area of high-poverty risk.Materials and MethodsThe children (3–4 years) and their parents living in a school district which is classified as being at a high risk of poverty were invited to participate for the study. Following consent, they were interviewed by telephone using The Child Eating Behaviours Questionnaire (CEBQ) in 2018. The CEBQ utilises a five-point Likert scale with scores computed for different eating behaviours. Anthropometric measures on the children were carried out in the schools.ResultsResponse rate was 63.3% (n = 71), with 54.8% of parents possessing a secondary school education There was no significant association between parental education level and weight status using World Health Organisation (WHO), International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) criteria (p = 0.227, 0.373, 0,213 respectively). No significant relationship was found between children's weight status and gender (WHO; p = 0.800 & CDC; p = 0.655; IOTF; p = 0.804). 71.8 % of the children exceeded the 1-hour screen time daily recommended guidelines (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2015) during weekdays while 47.9% exceeded the recommendations during weekends. Main sedentary behaviours were the use of smartphones/tablets (mean 72 min/day; 64 min/day; weekend, weekdays respectively) with a significant association found across this behaviour and all weight standard criteria (p = 0.013, 0.016 and 0.015 for WHO, CDC and IOTF respectively).Food enjoyment varied significantly according to weight status (WHO: p = 0.001; CDC; 0.010; IOTF: p = 0.028). Lowest food fussiness scores were observed in normal weight children using WHO and CDC weight standard criteria and in the underweight category when using IOTF criteria and was significant across all weight criteria (p = WHO; 0.013/ CDC; 0.047/ IOTF; 0.024). Children with mean high food avoidance scores scored in a higher weight category (WHO: p = 0.003; IOTF: p = 0.013).DiscussionIn this small study, some eating behaviours were found to be linked to weight status suggesting further work required. Public health initiatives to reduce sedentary behaviours should also be targeted at younger age children. Larger studies comparing children in different socio economic regions and targeting the family and obesogenic environment are recommended for targeted early intervention.


Author(s):  
Minghui Sun ◽  
Xiangying Hu ◽  
Fang Li ◽  
Jing Deng ◽  
Jingcheng Shi ◽  
...  

Background: Poor eating habits increase children’s risk of chronic diseases such as overweight and obesity, adult diabetes, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the eating habits of school-age children and their impact on children’s body mass index. Methods: Multistage cluster sampling was used to sample 2224 students in grades 4 to 6 from 16 primary schools in Changsha. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect general demographic, eating habit, and snack consumption data from school-age children. Height and weight were measured so that the body mass index Z-score could be calculated and evaluated according to the 2007 World Health Organization’s Body Mass Index (BMI) reference standard. Results: The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity in school-age children were 17.0% and 8.3%, respectively. Boys had higher rates of overweight and obesity than girls (19.9% vs. 13.6%, 12.9% vs. 3.0%, respectively, p < 0.05). Among the total population of children, 71.6% reported picky eating habits, and 55.1% had late-night snacks. Children who skipped breakfast (OR 1.507 and 95% CI 1.116~2.035) and ate puffed food (OR 1.571 and 95% CI 1.170~2.110) were more likely to be overweight/obese. Conclusions: The eating habits of school-age children are closely related to their weight status. Poor eating habits can be risk factors for overweight and obesity. The dietary management of children should be strengthened so that they develop good eating habits and the incidence of overweight and obesity in school-age children decreases.


2016 ◽  
Vol 86 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 242-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genc Burazeri ◽  
Jolanda Hyska ◽  
Iris Mone ◽  
Enver Roshi

Abstract.Aim: To assess the association of breakfast skipping with overweight and obesity among children in Albania, a post-communist country in the Western Balkans, which is undergoing a long and difficult political and socioeconomic transition towards a market-oriented economy. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study was carried out in Albania in 2013 including a representative sample of 5810 children aged 7.0 – 9.9 years (49.5% girls aged 8.4 ± 0.6 years and 51.5% boys aged 8.5 ± 0.6 years; overall response rate: 97%). Children were measured for height and weight, and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Cut-off BMI values of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) were used to define overweight and obesity in children. Demographic data were also collected. Results: Upon adjustment for age, sex, and place of residence, breakfast skipping was positively related to obesity (WHO criteria: OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.3–1.9; IOTF criteria: OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.4–2.5), but not overweight (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9–1.3 and OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9–1.4, respectively). Furthermore, breakfast skipping was associated with a higher BMI (multivariable-adjusted OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.02–1.07). Conclusions: Our findings point to a strong and consistent positive relationship between breakfast skipping and obesity, but not overweight, among children in this transitional southeastern European population. Future studies in Albania and other transitional settings should prospectively examine the causal role of breakfast skipping in the development of overweight and obesity.


Author(s):  
Tudor Lucian Pop ◽  
Dana Maniu ◽  
Daniela Rajka ◽  
Cecilia Lazea ◽  
Gabriel Cismaru ◽  
...  

Introduction: During the last three decades, there has been an excess weight epidemic due to changes in nutrition and lifestyle. Few data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children in Romania were published, without a single study representative at the national level. There are reports on the higher level of overweight and obesity in urban areas compared to rural ones. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of underweight, overweight, obesity and severe obesity in children enrolled in schools from the urban area. Material and methods: For this cross-sectional study, children from 177 schools from the urban area of five counties from the northwestern part of Romania were included after the parents signed written informed consent. Anthropometric data were recorded (weight, height) based on World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations and Body-Mass-Index (BMI), and the z-score for BMI were calculated. The nutritional status was estimated using three reference criteria: WHO, International Obesity Task Force (IOTC) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Results: We analyzed data of 21,650 children (48.19% boys) age between 7 and 18 years. The prevalence of overweight was 13.8%, 16.2% and 20.3%, of obesity was 10.7%, 10.0% and 5.7% and of severe obesity was 5.1%, 1.2% and 1.6% (using WHO, CDC and IOTF cut-offs). Underweight was present in 5.2% (WHO), 6% (CDC) and 2.6% (IOTF). The highest prevalence of overweight (including obesity) was found in children aged 10 years, and the lowest in adolescents at 18 years. Boys have a higher prevalence of excess weight than girls. Using IOTF cut-offs, the prevalence of obesity and severe obesity was lower than using WHO criteria. Conclusions: The prevalence of overweight (including obesity) in children from the urban area of Western Romania was recorded at alarming levels, higher in boys and at the pre-puberty ages. There are significant differences based on the reference system used. It is important to correctly choose the reference for the definition of overweight and obesity to have the correct estimation of the target for public health measures.


Author(s):  
Jakob Tarp ◽  
Juel Jarani ◽  
Florian Muca ◽  
Andi Spahi ◽  
Anders Grøntved

Abstract Background The extent of the obesity epidemic among youth is an important public health statistic which provides an indication of the future burden of non-communicable diseases. Many developing countries, including Albania, do not have systematic and repeated monitoring systems in operation. Methods The Balkan Survey of Inactivity in Children study is a population-based cross-sectional survey including Albanian children living in the four Balkan nation-states of Albania, Kosovo, FYR Macedonia and Montenegro. In total, 19,850 children from 49 schools were approached. The LMS method was used to provide body mass index (BMI), height, weight and waist circumference reference centiles for boys and girls. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) age- and sex-specific BMI cut-points were applied to evaluate adiposity levels. Results A sample of 18,460 participants aged 6–16 years old was available for creation of the BMI for age and sex reference centiles. The prevalence of overweight (including obesity) in the full sample was 21% (95% CI: 20%–21%) according to IOTF cut-off points and 28% (95% CI: 28%–29%) at WHO cut-off points. Overweight/obesity levels where higher in boys than in girls irrespective of the cut-off points applied (p<0.001). Noticeable between-country differences were observed with a prevalence of overweight/obesity of 40% (95% CI: 38%–42%) in Montenegro but only 20% (95% CI: 19%–21%) in Kosovo (WHO cut-off points). Conclusions Overweight/obesity is highly prevalent in Albanian children and adolescents. The apparent sex and country differences may inform public health actions.


2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 341
Author(s):  
Marcella Evangelista Melo ◽  
Giovanna Lima Miguéis ◽  
Mikaela Silva Almeida ◽  
Tatiane Dalamaria ◽  
Wagner De Jesus Pinto ◽  
...  

Introduction: In the diagnosis of overweight and obesity based on body mass index in children and adolescents, several national and international anthropometric references are recommended. However, there is a divergence in the estimated prevalence of overweight and obesity among the references. Objective: To identify the prevalence of overweight and obesity and to analyse the magnitude of agreement among the three references. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 975 students from the early grades of elementary school. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were estimated according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and Conde and Monteiro. The Kappa weighted index was calculated to assess the agreement magnitude among the three references. Results: The highest prevalence of overweight and obesity was estimated by the Conde and Monteiro and WHO references, respectively. Overall, the IOTF revealed lower a magnitude of prevalence than the two other references. The agreement among the references identified by the Kappa index had a range of 0.66 to 0.94. Conclusion: Despite the satisfactory agreement among the three references, this research highlighted the differing magnitudes of the prevalence of overweight and obesity. This fact limits the ability to make comparisons among populations and impairs the development of overweight and obesity prevention actions.


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