Profile of body mass index and obesity in Nigerian children and adolescents.

This cross-sectional anthropometric study involved one thousand and five randomly selected children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years resident in Calabar, Nigeria. It was aimed at determining the profile of Body Mass Index (BMI) as well as the prevalence of obesity in the group. Subjects had their heights and weights measured using standard methods and Body Mass Index calculated. Those with BMI of 95th percentile for their ages and sexes were considered obese. Body Mass Index as well as other anthropometric parameters were found to increase progressively with age with females having higher values. The prevalence of obesity in 6-12 years old children was 2.3%. Adolescents 13-15 years had a prevalence of 4.0% while those 16-18 years had 3.0%. Though females had a higher prevalence in both groups, the difference was not statistically significant (l2 = 4.90 df = 2, P > 0.5) We conclude that obesity hitherto seen predominantly in developed countries is a potential health problem in developing countries despite the prevailing poor socioeconomic situation. The significant role played by factors other than the environment in the development of obesity has since been recognised. Since treatment of adult obesity is largely difficult, the need for intervention during childhood and adolescence which includes early detection and prevention cannot be overemphasized.