Trend Reversal in Childhood Obesity - BMI Decline in 8 Yr Old Boys
Topic: Childhood Obesity
Author: University of Gothenburg - Contact: www.gu.se/english
Published: 2017/02/22
Contents: Summary - Introduction - Main Item - Related Topics
Synopsis: Study reveals the percentage of boys suffering from overweight or obesity has decreased to their lowest levels since the early 1990s.
Introduction
After decades of increasing childhood obesity, things are now going in the opposite direction. A study from Sahlgrenska Academy shows that among 8-year-old boys in Sweden, the percentage of boys suffering from overweight or obesity has decreased to their lowest levels since the early 1990s.
Main Item
"A levelling off of the childhood obesity epidemic has been shown before, but we are able to demonstrate clear reduction in mean BMI and also the frequency of childhood overweight and obesity," says Maria Bygdell, researcher and PhD student at the department of internal medicine and clinical nutrition.
The research is based on data from the population-based study, BMI Epidemiology Study (BEST) in Gothenburg, with detailed information from the school health care regarding the height and weight of children born from 1946 and onwards.
This time, researchers chose to study boys. The idea it to conduct a corresponding study on girls.
A Clear Decline
In all, thirteen age groups were included, born at five year intervals during the period 1946-2006. Each age group studied consisted of 425 boys. When the researchers noted the trend reversal, they wanted to look into the most recent period in greater detail and therefore expanded the number of individuals in several of the younger age groups to approximately 6,500 boys per group of children
"We noticed an indication of a decrease, but wanted to confirm that it really was a decline," says Maria Bygdell.
The results were clear - there is a reduction in mean BMI, overweight and obesity. After an all-time-high in boys born in 1991, where 22.6 percent were overweight or obese at the age of 8, the numbers of overweight and obese have fallen successively. In the group of boys born in 2006, 19.4 percent were overweight or obese in the year of their 8th birthday.
"There is a trend reversal and that is positive. However, I don't think we can sound the all-clear in any way. The levels are still very high, equivalent to those seen before the highest level," says Maria Bygdell.
Must Continue Working
If we only look at the percentage with obesity, levels decreased from 9.3 percent in the group of 8-year-old boys born in 1991, to 7.6 percent among 8-year-old boys born in 2006.
"Based on the data we have, I can't explain what caused the decrease. Increased awareness of the risks of overweight and obesity in children might have contributed, but this is sheer speculation. And we still have to continue working on reducing the percentage of children suffering from overweight and obesity," says Maria Bygdell.
The study is published in International Journal of Obesity. Link to the study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28119533
Principal researchers: Maria Bygdell +46 (0)702 746 669; maria.bygdell@gu.se, Jenny Kindblom +46 (0)709 902 201; jenny.kindblom@gu.se and Claes Ohlsson +46 (0)706 832 966; claes.ohlsson@medic.gu.se
Explore Related Topics
1 - Childhood Obesity Epidemic: Global Rates Reach Alarming Levels - Pediatric overweight and obesity have reached epidemic levels in the U.S. and are becoming a pandemic globally.
2 - Childhood Weight Recall Key to Predicting Obesity Mortality - Adulthood overweight and obesity may confer greater risks for all-cause mortality and incident CVD among individuals who perceive themselves to have been thinner or plumper than the average child.
3 - Waist-to-height Ratio Detects Fat Obesity In Youth Far Better Than BMI - Waist circumference-to-height ratio identified as inexpensive measure of obesity in children and adolescents that could replace body mass index (BMI).
4 - U.S. School Meals Would Be Healthier if Compliant With American Nutrition Standards - Researchers report that aligning student meals to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans would further support children's well-being and cut healthcare costs into adulthood.
5 - Link Between Child TV Time and Metabolic Syndrome - Study adds weight to the evidence that watching too much television as a child can lead to poor health in adulthood.
Page Information, Citing and Disclaimer
Disabled World is a comprehensive online resource that provides information and news related to disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility issues. Founded in 2004 our website covers a wide range of topics, including disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, and independent living, with the goal of supporting the disability community and their families.
Cite This Page (APA): University of Gothenburg. (2017, February 22). Trend Reversal in Childhood Obesity - BMI Decline in 8 Yr Old Boys . Disabled World. Retrieved October 4, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/fitness/child-obesity/bmi-reversal.php
Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/fitness/child-obesity/bmi-reversal.php">Trend Reversal in Childhood Obesity - BMI Decline in 8 Yr Old Boys </a>: Study reveals the percentage of boys suffering from overweight or obesity has decreased to their lowest levels since the early 1990s.
Disabled World provides general information only. Materials presented are never meant to substitute for qualified medical care. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.