Abstract
BackgroundWe investigated the prevalence and trends of underweight and overweight/obesity in a population-based sample of Japanese schoolchildren from 2003 to 2012, defined by body mass index (BMI) and percentage overweight (POW).MethodsSubjects comprised fourth and seventh graders from the town of Ina, Japan, from 2003 to 2012. The height and weight of each subject were measured. Children were classified as underweight, normal weight, or overweight/obese using two criteria: BMI cutoff points proposed by the International Obesity Task Force and cutoffs based on POW in Japan.ResultsData from 4367 fourth graders and 3724 seventh graders were analyzed. The prevalence of underweight and overweight as defined by POW criteria were lower than those based on BMI criteria. There was a decrease in the prevalence of overweight among fourth-grade boys and girls and seventh-grade girls according to BMI; this decrease was also observed when POW criteria were used for the definition of overweight.ConclusionsThe prevalence and trends of both underweight and overweight as defined by POW were underestimated among Japanese schoolchildren compared to those determined using BMI. The results of this study also suggest that trends in underweight and overweight/obesity using POW criteria are similar to those based on BMI criteria among schoolchildren in Japan.
Highlights
Childhood overweight and obesity have increased dramatically in economically developed countries and in urbanized populations.[1,2] A previous study showed that approximately half of overweight adolescents and over one third of overweight children became obese in adulthood, and that adiposity in childhood and adolescence influenced adult mortality and morbidity.[3]
body mass index (BMI) was significantly higher in fourth-grade boys than fourthgrade girls (P < 0.001), whereas it did not significantly differ between sexes in seventh graders (P = 0.290)
The trends in underweight using percentage overweight (POW) criteria were similar to those based on BMI criteria among schoolchildren
Summary
Childhood overweight and obesity have increased dramatically in economically developed countries and in urbanized populations.[1,2] A previous study showed that approximately half of overweight adolescents and over one third of overweight children became obese in adulthood, and that adiposity in childhood and adolescence influenced adult mortality and morbidity.[3]. In addition to childhood overweight and obesity, thinness among children has been reported to be associated with health problems. Previous studies indicated trends of unhealthy body image and dieting behaviors among pre-adolescents and adolescents in Japan, especially in girls.[4,5] thinness among adolescent girls has been reported to cause a number of additional health problems including eating disorders,[6] secondary amenorrhea,[7] and low bone density.[8] it is important from a public health standpoint to monitor underweight among children. The results of this study suggest that trends in underweight and overweight/obesity using POW criteria are similar to those based on BMI criteria among schoolchildren in Japan
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