M B Zimmermann1, S Y Hess, R F Hurrell. 1. The Human Nutrition Laboratory, Institute for Food Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich, Switzerland. michael.zimmermann@ilw.agrl.ethz.ch
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Swiss children and to obtain information on weight perceptions and weight control practices in this population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, three-stage, probability-proportionate-to-size cluster sampling. SETTING: Middle schools throughout Switzerland. SUBJECTS: A representative national sample of 595 6-12 y-old schoolchildren. INTERVENTION: Measurement of weight and height; interview on weight perceptions and weight control practices. RESULTS: Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and used as an indicator of overweight. The BMIs of the Swiss children were compared with US, UK, French and Swiss reference data. Depending on which reference data were used, the prevalence of obesity varied between 9.7 and 16.1% and the prevalence of overweight varied between 21.7 and 34.2%. Girls were significantly more likely to consider themselves too fat (26% and 15%, respectively) and to report currently trying to lose weight (30% and 18%, respectively) compared to boys (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of overweight in Swiss children, and its attendant health and social consequences, are important public health concerns. SPONSORSHIP: The Swiss Foundation for Nutrition Research, Zürich, Switzerland.
OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Swiss children and to obtain information on weight perceptions and weight control practices in this population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, three-stage, probability-proportionate-to-size cluster sampling. SETTING: Middle schools throughout Switzerland. SUBJECTS: A representative national sample of 595 6-12 y-old schoolchildren. INTERVENTION: Measurement of weight and height; interview on weight perceptions and weight control practices. RESULTS: Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and used as an indicator of overweight. The BMIs of the Swiss children were compared with US, UK, French and Swiss reference data. Depending on which reference data were used, the prevalence of obesity varied between 9.7 and 16.1% and the prevalence of overweight varied between 21.7 and 34.2%. Girls were significantly more likely to consider themselves too fat (26% and 15%, respectively) and to report currently trying to lose weight (30% and 18%, respectively) compared to boys (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of overweight in Swiss children, and its attendant health and social consequences, are important public health concerns. SPONSORSHIP: The Swiss Foundation for Nutrition Research, Zürich, Switzerland.
Authors: Juan Mielgo-Ayuso; Raquel Aparicio-Ugarriza; Adrian Castillo; Emma Ruiz; Jose M Avila; Javier Aranceta-Bartrina; Angel Gil; Rosa M Ortega; Lluis Serra-Majem; Gregorio Varela-Moreiras; Marcela González-Gross Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2017-01-19 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Iris Niederer; Susi Kriemler; Lukas Zahner; Flavia Bürgi; Vincent Ebenegger; Tim Hartmann; Ursina Meyer; Christian Schindler; Andreas Nydegger; Pedro Marques-Vidal; Jardena J Puder Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2009-03-31 Impact factor: 3.295