[Course during 5 years of weight in children and adolescents. Preliminary study]

A study of a weight related to height index (WRH) was performed in 5,984 children and adolescents. It showed a change in the mean value of the weight index between 11 and 18 years, particularly in girls. Over a 5 years interval there was a close correlation between weight indices (r around 0.7). However, the probability of remaining in the same index class varied greatly depending on the initial value of index and sex. Occurrence of overweight, as defined by a WRH value greater than or equal to 120, was greater in girls and more frequent during the second decade. This study confirmed the variability of weight index during childhood. Half of the overweight children remained so after 5 years. It also showed a high risk of overweight after 5 years in children with an initial index between 100 and 120. The weight index does not seem to be definitely established during childhood and is therefore inadequate to alone predict overweight 5 years later.