Growth status and obesity of Hopi children

The purpose of this study was to examine the growth status and prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity in Hopi children. Subjects were 263 (117 males, 146 females) Hopi children 6-12 years of age. Stature and mass were measured and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Body size variables were plotted relative to age- and sex-specific reference data and the prevalence rates for underweight, overweight, and obesity were estimated using the BMI as the criterion. Age-specific sex differences were compared using independent samples t-tests. In both sexes, mean age-specific stature appeared to be relatively stable around the 50th percentile of reference values. Mean age-specific mass appeared to be relatively stable between the 50th and 90th percentiles of the reference values, while the mean BMI tended to fluctuate about the 85th percentile. Approximately 23% of Hopi children were classified as overweight and an additional 24% were classified as obese. Only two subjects were categorized as underweight. The results are consistent with other reports that childhood obesity is a serious public health concern among Native Americans. Further study is warranted to examine the causes of the high prevalence rates of pediatric obesity among Native Americans and the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs.