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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
[The development of BMI in 4-year-olds in Tromsø 1980 to 2005]
Katrine Dvergsnes1, Guri Skeie
1Institutt for samfunnsmedisin Det medisinske fakultet Universitetet i Tromsø 9037 Tromsø.
Insights
The prevalence of overweight among 4-year-old girls in Tromsø has significantly increased, suggesting the obesity epidemic may be affecting this demographic. Further monitoring is recommended for this worrying trend in childhood obesity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Rising rates of overweight individuals, including children, observed in Norway.
- Need to determine if Tromsø's 4-year-olds are affected by the growing obesity epidemic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 4-year-old children in Tromsø.
- To identify trends in childhood overweight from 1976 to 2001.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of cross-sectional survey data from 1645 children born in 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, and 2001.
- Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated and age-adjusted using standard deviation scores.
- Classification of children as normal weight or overweight based on International Obesity Task Force recommendations.
Main Results:
- In 2001, mean BMI was 15.9 kg/m² for boys and 15.8 kg/m² for girls.
- No significant change in mean BMI from 1976 to 2001.
- Significant increase in overweight prevalence among girls from 7.2% to 16.8% (p=0.02).
- Overweight prevalence in boys remained stable; girls had significantly higher prevalence in recent years.
Conclusions:
- The rise in overweight prevalence among 4-year-old girls in Tromsø indicates a potential impact of the obesity epidemic.
- This trend is concerning and warrants continued surveillance and follow-up.
- Gender disparities in overweight prevalence are notable in recent cohorts.
Background:
Studies indicate that the number of overweight adults and children in Norway is increasing. The aim of this study was to find out whether the epidemic of obesity has reached 4-year olds in Tromsø.
Material And Method:
The study is retrospective and compares cross-sectional surveys to find trends. Age in months, height and weight of 4-year olds were collected from child health care centre records in Tromsø, Norway. Data from 1645 children born in 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991 and 2001 were collected. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated and adjusted for age with standard deviation scores. The children were classified as normal or overweight based on the recommendations from the International Obesity Task Force.
Results:
Mean BMI was 15.9 kg/m2 for boys and 15.8 kg/m2 for girls born in 2001. BMI had not changed significantly from that for children born in 1976. The prevalence of overweight in girls has increased significantly from 7.2 % to 16.8 % in the same period (p = 0.02). The prevalence of overweight in boys born in 2001 was 8.8 %; this is not significantly different from those born in 1976. At the two most recent measurements the prevalence of overweight in girls was significantly higher than the prevalence of overweight in boys.
Interpretation:
The increasing prevalence of overweight in girls may indicate that the epidemic of obesity is starting to affect 4-year-old girls in Tromsø. The development is worrying and should be further monitored and followed up.
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