PS2-23: Prevalence of Extreme Obesity in Southern California

Abstract

Background and Aims: Specific weight goals and treatment options for extremely obese children and adolescents have been suggested. The objective of this study is to provide current estimates of the prevalence of extreme obesity in a large multiethnic youth cohort. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, measured weight and height were extracted from electronic medical records of 710,949 patients aged 2–19 years (87.8 % of eligible patients) who were enrolled in an integrated prepaid health plan between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2008. Prevalence of extreme obesity was defined as body mass index [BMI]-for-age =1.2 x 95th percentile according to the sex-specific 2000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts or BMI =35 kg/m2. Results: Extreme obesity was observed in 7.3% of boys and 5.5% of girls. The prevalence first peaked at about 10 years of age with a bimodal distribution in girls (second peak at 18 years, P for sex × age interaction = 0.036). The prevalence of extreme obesity varied among ethnic/ racial and age groups with highest prevalence in Hispanic boys (up to 11.2%) and Blacks girls (up to 11.9%). In 12–19 year olds, the prevalence of obesity class 3 (BMI 40–49.9 kg/m2) and class 4 (BMI =50 kg/m2) was 1.8% and 0.2%, respectively, with the highest prevalence in Blacks (3.5%) compared to Whites independent of sex (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Extreme obesity in Southern California youth is a serious issue and frequently observed at relatively young age. The shift towards extreme body weights is likely to cause an enormous burden of adverse health outcomes once these youth grow older.