Changes In Fatness In Norwegian Children, 2000−2005

Abstract

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children is increasing worldwide. There is, however, a lack of studies investigating change in the distribution of body fat. This knowledge is essential as central adiposity has been shown to be more strongly associated with type 2 diabetes and dyslipidaemia, than overall fatness in adults. Moreover, visceral adipose tissue is directly associated with low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, and inversely related to high density lipoprotein cholesterol among children. PURPOSE: To investigate 5-year changes in waist circumference, skinfold measures, and body mass index (BMI) among 9- year-old children living in Oslo, Norway. METHODS: A total of 854 9-year-olds measured in the European Youth Heart Study (2000) and in the Physical Activity in Norwegian Children Study (2005) were included in the analyses. Indicators of body fatness were skinfold thickness (triceps, biceps, subscapular and suprailiac), waist circumference and body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2). The International Obesity Tak Force (IOTF) cut-offs were used to define overweight and obese subjects. Changes in fatness were tested by using general linear models, adjusted for age and sexual maturity. RESULTS: In 2005, 9-year-old girls had significantly higher BMI (p = 0.04), waist circumference (p < 0.001), and all 4 skinfold measures (p<0.001) than girls in 2000. Nine-year-old boys increased their waist circumference by 2.2 cm (p = 0.002), and their triceps (p=0.02) and suprailiac (p=0.02) skinfold measures between the study periods. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was slightly higher in 2005, however, chi-square analysis revealed that the increase was significant in girls only (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In 9-year-old children living in Oslo, there have been increases in measures of fatness and central adiposity over the last 5 years. The increase was more pronounced in girls than boys. The results indicate that the reported increases in BMI under-estimates the increase in body fatness among children.