High prevalence of overweight and obesity among inner city Chinese children in Shanghai, 2011

Abstract

Background: In China, the prevalence of overweight and obesity appears to be increasing at unacceptable levels among young people living in major cities undergoing rapid economic growth.Objective: To report the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Shanghai inner city youth using the recently published International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) Asian definition.Methods: Secondary analysis of children aged 8–15 years who participated in the Shanghai Schools’ Physical Fitness Examinations, a representative school-based survey. Height and weight were measured and body mass index (kg/m2) was calculated. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was determined using the IOTF children’s BMI cut-points for Asian populations, equivalent to an adult BMI of 23 kg/m2 (overweight) and 27 kg/m2 (obese).Results: The prevalence of combined overweight and obesity was 49.1% for boys and 30.8% for girls aged 8–15-years. Almost one-in-five boys were obese, compared with 8.4% of girls. In boys the prevalence of overweight appeared to increase from age 10 years.Conclusion: The high prevalence of combined overweight and obesity among urban Chinese youth, especially among boys, requires immediate health promotion intervention.