Overweight and obesity in school-age children

Abstract

Childhood obesity has become a global public health problem. This paper describes the current prevalence of school-age children obesity in Chernivtsi region. We examined 848 children (mean age – 13,9±0,06 years) from different parts of the region. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip index were calculated, Z-index of BMI was estimated according to the local anthropometric percentiles standards. The prevalence of total overweight was 19,9 % including 13,6 % of obesity. The prevalence also varies by age, gender and place of living. In boys overweight was in 20,8 % and 19,2 % – in girls, obesity – 14,6 % and 12,3 % respectively. The prevalence of obesity is the highest in age 12 and 13 years – more than 20 %. The overweight in our children has positive correlation with higher systolic blood pressure (r=0,27, p<0,05) and nega¬tive with physical performance (r=-0,21, p<0,05).