Dong-Chul Seo1, Jingjing Niu. 1. College of Health Sciences, Ewha Womans University, 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Soedaemoon-gu, Seoul, 120-750, South Korea, dseo@ewha.ac.kr.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of recent data on Chinese childhood overweight and underweight prevalence especially since 2004. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine trends in underweight and overweight/obesity ("overweight" hereafter) prevalence and energy balance-related behaviors of Chinese youth from 2004 to 2009. METHODS: Data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, 2004-2009 (N = 4,061 students aged 6-18 years), were analyzed. Trained health workers took anthropometric measures at the participant's house or at a local clinic following a reference protocol recommended by the World Health Organization. The international age- and sex-specific body mass index reference standard proposed by the International Obesity Task Force was used to define underweight and overweight children in this study. RESULTS: Among 6- to 11-year-old boys, underweight prevalence increased from 14.5% (2004) to 20.1% (2009, p = 0.068). Among 12- to 18-year-old boys, however, overweight prevalence increased from 7.5 to 12.6% (p = 0.034). From 2004 to 2009, after-school sedentary behavior increased from 2.3 to 3.4 h/day for 6- to 11-year-olds (p < 0.001) and from 2.2 to 3.1 h/day for 12- to 18-year-olds (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, the total energy intake decreased 7% for 6- to 11-year-olds (p < 0.05) and 10% for 12- to 18-year-olds (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Both underweight and overweight Chinese students are increasing, with underweight increases more pronounced in 6- to 11-year-olds and overweight increases more pronounced in 12- to 18-year-olds. Nationwide efficacious interventions are needed that improve the diet, decrease sedentary behavior, and encourage a healthy and realistic body image in Chinese youth.
BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of recent data on Chinese childhood overweight and underweight prevalence especially since 2004. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine trends in underweight and overweight/obesity ("overweight" hereafter) prevalence and energy balance-related behaviors of Chinese youth from 2004 to 2009. METHODS: Data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, 2004-2009 (N = 4,061 students aged 6-18 years), were analyzed. Trained health workers took anthropometric measures at the participant's house or at a local clinic following a reference protocol recommended by the World Health Organization. The international age- and sex-specific body mass index reference standard proposed by the International Obesity Task Force was used to define underweight and overweight children in this study. RESULTS: Among 6- to 11-year-old boys, underweight prevalence increased from 14.5% (2004) to 20.1% (2009, p = 0.068). Among 12- to 18-year-old boys, however, overweight prevalence increased from 7.5 to 12.6% (p = 0.034). From 2004 to 2009, after-school sedentary behavior increased from 2.3 to 3.4 h/day for 6- to 11-year-olds (p < 0.001) and from 2.2 to 3.1 h/day for 12- to 18-year-olds (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, the total energy intake decreased 7% for 6- to 11-year-olds (p < 0.05) and 10% for 12- to 18-year-olds (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Both underweight and overweight Chinese students are increasing, with underweight increases more pronounced in 6- to 11-year-olds and overweight increases more pronounced in 12- to 18-year-olds. Nationwide efficacious interventions are needed that improve the diet, decrease sedentary behavior, and encourage a healthy and realistic body image in Chinese youth.
Authors: Nicholas Kuzik; Bruno G G da Costa; Yeongho Hwang; Simone J J M Verswijveren; Scott Rollo; Mark S Tremblay; Stacey Bélanger; Valerie Carson; Melanie Davis; Susan Hornby; Wendy Yajun Huang; Barbi Law; Jo Salmon; Jennifer R Tomasone; Lucy-Joy Wachira; Katrien Wijndaele; Travis J Saunders Journal: Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act Date: 2022-04-05 Impact factor: 6.457