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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

Prevalence and awareness of excess weight in 13 and 14 year olds in Northern Ireland using recent international

J W Yarnell1, E E McCrum, C C Patterson

  • 1Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, UK. h.porter@qub.ac.uk

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|February 21, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Childhood obesity is a growing concern. In Northern Ireland, 16% of 13–14 year olds are overweight, with a notable difference in weight-reducing diet uptake between genders.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Rising trends in childhood overweight and obesity globally.
  • Lack of recent data specific to Northern Ireland.
  • Integration of anthropometric measurements into an existing international study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children in Northern Ireland.
  • To apply recent international guidelines for defining pediatric overweight and obesity.
  • To investigate dietary behaviors among obese children.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study involving 26 schools in Northern Ireland.
  • Data collection included questionnaires and anthropometric measurements (height and weight).
  • Sampled 2484 children aged 13–14 years, with 2307 weighed and measured.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence of overweight was 16% in boys and 16% in girls.
  • Prevalence of obesity was 4% in boys and 2% in girls.
  • 15% of obese boys and 38% of obese girls reported being on weight-reducing diets.

Conclusions:

  • 16% of Northern Irish children aged 13–14 are overweight, aligning with international guidelines.
  • Obesity prevalence in this age group is significant, with differing dietary intervention rates between genders.
  • Findings highlight the need for targeted public health strategies addressing pediatric obesity in Northern Ireland.
Abstract

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