Prevalence of overweight and obesity among 7-9-year-old children in Aveiro, Portugal: Comparison between IOTF and CDC references

Abstract

Objective To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren from Aveiro, Portugal, according to two criteria: the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut-offs.Design Weight, height and waist circumference were measured. Using the BMI, gender-and age-specific prevalences of overweight and obesity were determined according to the IOTF cut-offs extrapolated from an adult BMI of 25 and 30 kg/m2 and the CDC cut-off values of 85th and 95th BMI percentile.Setting Aveiro, Portugal.Subjects A random representative sample of 905 children (457 boys; 448 girls) aged 7-9 years.Results The prevalence of excess weight (overweight and obesity) was lowest according to IOTF cut-offs compared to CDC (281 % v. 312 %), especially obesity (81 % v. 140 %). However, the CDC and IOTF criteria have a strong agreement (Cohens k = 0755; P < 0001). There were significant differences in excess weight between boys and girls according to the CDC (269 % v. 357 %; P = 0003). Obese children are younger and the majority present abdominal obesity.Conclusions The present study shows a high prevalence of excess weight in Aveiro children, similar to other Portuguese regions and among the highest in Europe, especially in the female gender. The IOTF cut-off values give a lower prevalence of excess weight, namely obesity. © 2009 The Authors.