Margot Shields1, Mark S Tremblay. 1. Health Information and Research Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Margot.Shields@statcan.gc.ca
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This article compares prevalence estimates of excess weight among Canadian children and youth according to three sets of body mass index (BMI) reference cut-points. The cut-points are based on growth curves generated by the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC). A secondary objective is to compare estimates by method of data collection. METHODS: Prevalence estimates of overweight and obesity were produced for 2- to 17-year-olds using the three sets of BMI cut-points. Estimates are based on data from 8 661 respondents from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey and 1 840 respondents from the 1978/79 Canada Health Survey. In both surveys, the height and weight of children were measured. RESULTS: The 2004 prevalence estimate for the combined overweight/obese category is higher (35%) when based on the WHO cut-points compared with the IOTF (26%) or CDC (28%) cut-points. Estimates of the prevalence of obesity are similar based on WHO and CDC cut-points (13%), but lower when based on IOTF cut-points (8%). Absolute differences in excess weight estimates between 1978/79 and 2004 are similar based on the three sets of cut-points, but the relative increase is greater when based on the IOTF cut-points. Estimates vary substantially by method of data collection. CONCLUSION: When interpreting prevalence estimates of overweight and obesity for children and youth, it is important to consider the definitions used and the method of data collection.
OBJECTIVE: This article compares prevalence estimates of excess weight among Canadian children and youth according to three sets of body mass index (BMI) reference cut-points. The cut-points are based on growth curves generated by the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC). A secondary objective is to compare estimates by method of data collection. METHODS: Prevalence estimates of overweight and obesity were produced for 2- to 17-year-olds using the three sets of BMI cut-points. Estimates are based on data from 8 661 respondents from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey and 1 840 respondents from the 1978/79 Canada Health Survey. In both surveys, the height and weight of children were measured. RESULTS: The 2004 prevalence estimate for the combined overweight/obese category is higher (35%) when based on the WHO cut-points compared with the IOTF (26%) or CDC (28%) cut-points. Estimates of the prevalence of obesity are similar based on WHO and CDC cut-points (13%), but lower when based on IOTF cut-points (8%). Absolute differences in excess weight estimates between 1978/79 and 2004 are similar based on the three sets of cut-points, but the relative increase is greater when based on the IOTF cut-points. Estimates vary substantially by method of data collection. CONCLUSION: When interpreting prevalence estimates of overweight and obesity for children and youth, it is important to consider the definitions used and the method of data collection.
Authors: Shelley M Vanderhout; Mary Aglipay; Nazi Torabi; Peter Jüni; Bruno R da Costa; Catherine S Birken; Deborah L O'Connor; Kevin E Thorpe; Jonathon L Maguire Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 2020-02-01 Impact factor: 7.045
Authors: A G LeBlanc; P T Katzmarzyk; T V Barreira; S T Broyles; J-P Chaput; T S Church; M Fogelholm; D M Harrington; G Hu; R Kuriyan; A Kurpad; E V Lambert; C Maher; J Maia; V Matsudo; T Olds; V Onywera; O L Sarmiento; M Standage; C Tudor-Locke; P Zhao; M S Tremblay Journal: Int J Obes Suppl Date: 2015-12-08