The “Great Wave”: Childhood Obesity and Overweight

Abstract

IntroductionObesity was declared a real epidemic by the World Health Organization (WHO); and is still on the rise; especially in childhood.We report the results of an anthropometric survey in primary schools and decipher the specific rates of Algerian childhood overweight and obesity. Material and methodWe performed a cross-sectional descriptive study through a representative sample of primary school pupils in the city of Sétif, north-east of Algeria.Consents were obtained from the parents, the establishments’ directors and the Inspector of the Academy.All children had a full anthropometric evaluation and clinical examination.The WHO Child Growth Standards (WHO, 2006) were used to assess the weight-for-age for boys and girls. ResultsAmong 2,493 children screened, 387 (=15.52%) were overweight or obese (with a body mass index (BMI) > 1 standard deviation on the WHO pediatric weight curves)After stratification, 272 pupils (10.91%) were overweight (i.e. BMI = [+1, +2] SD) and 115 pupils =4.61% were obese (BMI = >+2 SD).No patient exhibited somatic signs of insulin resistance (i.e. acanthosis nigricans). ConclusionChildhood overweight and obesity are an increasing reality worldwide, including in Algeria.Prompt, proactive actions are needed to refrain the onset of post-puberty obesity, real prelude of adulthood cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.