BMI Cut-off Points Research Articles

PREVALENCE OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK FACTORS IN CHINA: FINDINGS FROM 2010 CHINA CHRONIC DISEASE AND RISK FACTOR SURVEILLANCE

PREVALENCE OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK FACTORS IN CHINA: FINDINGS FROM 2010 CHINA CHRONIC DISEASE AND RISK FACTOR SURVEILLANCE

Prevalence and factors associated with overweight and obesity in French primary-school children.

To determine the prevalence of, and identify associated factors with, overweight and obesity in two samples of French children. We conducted two cross-sectional studies among two samples of children. Weight status, eating behaviour, sedentary activity, physical activity and parents' socio-economic status (SES) were collected using questionnaires filled by doctors during school health check-ups. Overweight and obesity were defined according to the age- and sex-specific BMI cut-off points of the International Obesity Taskforce. Multivariate analysis (logistic regression) was used to identify independent factors associated with overweight including obesity and obesity alone. Aquitaine region (south-west France). Analyses were conducted among children aged 5-7 years (n 4048) and 7-11 years (n 3619). Overweight prevalence was 9·5 % including 2·2 % of obesity in 5-7-year-old children and 15·6 % including 2·9 % of obesity in 7-11-year-old children. In both samples, overweight and obesity prevalence were higher in children whose parents had low or medium SES (P < 0·05). Factors associated significantly (P < 0·05) and independently with higher overweight or obesity prevalence were female gender, low or medium parental SES, never or sometimes having breakfast, never eating at the school canteen, never having a morning snack, never or sometimes having a light afternoon meal and having high sedentary activity. Our data confirm that low SES, absence of breakfast and high sedentary activity are associated with a higher risk of being overweight or obese, but also highlight original potential protective factors such as eating at the canteen and high meal frequency.

Impaired parent-reported health-related quality of life of underweight and obese children at elementary school entry.

PurposeExamine the health-related quality of life of 5–6-year-old underweight, overweight and obese children.MethodsOur cross-sectional study included 3,227 parent–child dyads from the “Be active, eat right” study. Parents completed questionnaires regarding child and parental characteristics. Health-related quality of life of the child was measured using the Child Health Questionnaire Parent Form 28. Children were classified normal weight, overweight, obese, severely obese, and underweight according to the international age and gender BMI cutoff points. Bootstrap analyses were performed for general linear models corrected for potential confounding variables.ResultsSeverely obese children (β, −2.60; 95 % CI, −4.80 to −0.57, p < 0.01) and underweight children (β, −1.11; 95 % CI, −1.85 to −0.39, p < 0.01) had lower parent-reported scores on the physical summary scale. On the physical functioning profile scale parents of overweight and severely obese children also reported statistically significant lower scores (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively).There were no significant differences regarding the psychosocial summary scale scores between the different weight categories.ConclusionUnderweight and overweight children experience impaired health-related quality of life on the physical functioning domain. Physicians, teachers and parents should be aware of the possible negative impact on health-related quality of life in underweight and overweight 5–6-year-old children.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11136-012-0211-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Childhood Adiposity, Adult Adiposity, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Background Obesity in childhood is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. It is uncertain whether this risk is attenuated in persons who are overweight or obese as children but not obese as adults. Methods We analyzed data from four prospective cohort studies that measured childhood and adult body-mass index (BMI, the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters). The mean length of follow-up was 23 years. To define high adiposity status, international age-specific and sex-specific BMI cutoff points for overweight and obesity were used for children, and a BMI cutoff point of 30 was used for adults. Results Data were available for 6328 subjects. Subjects with consistently high adiposity status from childhood to adulthood, as compared with persons who had a normal BMI as children and were nonobese as adults, had an increased risk of type 2 diabetes (relative risk, 5.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.4 to 8.5), hypertension (relative risk, 2.7; 95% CI, 2.2 to 3.3), elevated low-...

Overweight among children decreased, but obesity prevalence remained high among women in South Africa, 1999–2005

The aim of the present study was to assess anthropometric status in South African children and women in 2005 in order to document temporal trends in selected anthropometric parameters. Heights and weights were measured in a cross-sectional study of children aged 1-9 years and women aged 16-35 years. The WHO reference values and BMI cut-off points were used to determine weight status. South Africa, representative sample based on census data. Children (n 2157) and women (n 2403). Stunting was the most common nutritional disorder affecting 21·7% of children in 1999 and 20·7% in 2005. The difference was not statistically significant. Underweight prevalence remained unchanged, affecting 8·1% of children, whereas wasting affected 5·8% of children nationally, a significant increase from 4·3% of children in 1999. Rural children were most severely affected. According to the international BMI cut-off points for overweight and obesity, 10% of children nationally were classified as overweight and 4% as obese. The national prevalence of overweight and obesity combined for women was 51·5%. The prevalence of overweight in children based on weight-for-height Z-score did not change significantly (8·0% to 6·8%, P = 0·138), but the combined overweight/obesity prevalence based on BMI cut-off points (17·1% to 14·0%, P = 0·02) decreased significantly from 1999 to 2005. The double burden of undernutrition in children and overweight among women is evident in South Africa and getting worse due to increased childhood wasting combined with a high prevalence of obesity among urban women, indicating a need for urgent intervention.

Abstract B94: Relationship of overweight and diabetes with prostate cancer stages in Mexican Americans: A population-based case-control study

Abstract Objective: Hispanics have lower incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer (PCa) than non-Hispanics whites; however, they are more likely to be diagnosed with and die from advanced stage PCa. Obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) is positively associated with high-grade and advanced stage disease and mortality while the inverse is true for diabetes. Compared to non-Hispanic whites (NHW), little is known about the association of overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2), obesity, diabetes, and their simultaneous presence with different stages of PCa in Hispanics. The role of these independent factors and their simultaneous presence on PCa in Mexican-Americans warrants a detailed investigation as this population has a higher prevalence of overweight, physician-diagnosed diabetes, and overweight adults with diagnosed diabetes than NHW's. This understudied population is one of the fastest growing ethnic populations in the US. To the best of our knowledge, there are no studies on the relationship of overweight, diabetes and their simultaneous presence with localized and advanced PCa in Mexican-Americans. Materials and methods: We conducted a population-based case-control study in Mexican-American men residing in southeast Texas. Men diagnosed with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate (n=237) were included. Controls (n=245) were identified through random-digit dialing and frequency-matched to cases on age (±5 years). BMI, diabetes and hypertension were self-reported. Abdominal obesity was defined by waist circumference ≥ 102 cm. We identified overweight among men with self-reported diabetes to investigate their effect on PCa stage. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate independent associations between these factors with localized and advanced PCa. Results: Although none of the multivariate associations were statistically significant, the direction and strength of the observed associations were consistent with previous epidemiological studies. After adjusting for PCa risk factors (age, education, family history of PCa, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, PSA screening and birth place), obesity was positively and diabetes inversely associated with localized and advanced PCa. Overweight reduced the risk of localized PCa, but increased the risk of advanced PCa. Men who were overweight with self-reported diabetes had a reduced risk for both, localized and advanced PCa. Similar results were observed for abdominal obesity. On the other hand, hypertension and being born in the US (USA vs. Mexico) consistently increased the risk for localized and advanced disease. Conclusion: High prevalence of obesity, overweight, diabetes and their simultaneous effect among Mexican-American men seem to influence PCa stage differentially. Since these factors have opposite effects on PCa, it is important to be cautious when inferring conclusions when both of them are present. It is possible that different BMI cut-off points and biological mechanisms are playing a role in these associations. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2011;4(10 Suppl):B94.

Physical activity and play in kindergarten age children

PERISCOPE project assesses factors promoting or preventing obesity development in early age. A specific aim is to assess preschool children's physical activity habits in three different European countries. PERISCOPE has been implemented in 1094 children attending kindergartens in Denmark, Italy and Poland. The parents' and children's physical activity habits and attitudes assessed by a questionnaire filled by the parents. Overweight and obesity assessed by Cole's BMI cut-off points. Statistical analysis performed by χ(2) test and the test of proportion. Denmark shows the lowest rate (14.6 %) of overweight, followed by Poland (17.1%), while Italy shows the highest (21.2 %) (p < 0.0001). The Polish families show the highest rate of walking from home to kindergarten and back, followed by the Italians and, lastly, the Danish ones (p < 0.001). Almost all the Danish and Polish children, but only the 50.1 % of the Italians play outside (p < 0.001). During the weekdays, 34.9 % of Polish children, 22.2 % of Italians and 19.8 % of the Danish play outside more than one hour a day (p < 0.0001). During the weekend, 91.1 % of Polish children, 86.7 % of Danish children, but only 54.4 % of Italians play outside more than one hour (p < 0.0001). 53.5 % of Danish children, 31.9 % of Polish children, and 18.2 % of Italian ones practice sport (p < 0.0001). Danish children are the most active, the Polish are in the middle and the Italians are the least active. The difference in infrastructures (safety of walking streets, access to playgrounds/parks, etc.) can play an important role, in addition to cultural and social family characteristics, to the development of overweight.

The health-related quality of life of overweight and obese adolescents – a study measuring body mass index and adolescent-reported perceptions

To determine whether the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of overweight and obese adolescents is significantly lower than that of their healthy weight counterparts, and if so, whether any demographic trends exist and the relative contribution of each HRQOL dimension. Cross-sectional analysis of 2,890 students participating in the Pacific Obesity Prevention in Communities Project, Australia. HRQOL was measured using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) adolescent module. Adolescent height and weight were measured by trained field workers and weight categories assigned according to the International Obesity Task Force BMI cut-off points for adolescents. Multivariate linear regression analyses were undertaken to estimate the mean differences in HRQOL scores between (i) overweight and healthy weight, and (ii) obese and healthy weight adolescents, whilst adjusting for gender, age and socioeconomic status quartile. The sample had a mean age of 14.6 years (range 11-18), 56.2% boys, 20.2% overweight and 6.3% obese. Higher weight status categories were associated with lower HRQOL scores (mean PedsQL scores: healthy weight: 79.1, overweight: 77.7 and obese: 73.7). Relative to the healthy weight group, and after adjustments, overweight and obese adolescents reported 1.44 (p = 0.005) and 5.55 (p < 0.001) lower HRQOL summary scores, respectively. Overweight adolescents reported significantly lower scores in physical and social functioning, whilst obese adolescents reported significantly lower scores in the same dimensions plus emotional functioning. Girls and younger (< 15 years) adolescents reported greater mean negative HRQOL differences associated with excess weight. Overweight and obesity in adolescents are associated with significantly lower HRQOL scores.

Mismatch between the prevalence of overweight and obese children and adolescents and recording in electronic health records: a cross-sectional study

The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically in recent years. An electronic health record (EHR) can be used to identify and manage overweight and obesity by providing timely information. To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity using anthropometric data from an EHR and to compare it with the frequency of diagnoses of 'overweight' and 'obesity' registered by pediatricians. Cross-sectional, descriptive analytical study from a sample of records from children aged between 2 and 19 years who had at least one well-child visit registered in the EHR over the 24-month period between 2007 and 2008. The record of a diagnosis of overweight or obesity by physicians was compared with estimations based on body mass index (BMI; World Health Organization Growth Reference Data). Of 14 743 patients aged 2-19 years, 22.1% were overweight and 9.8% were obese. By contrast, a diagnosis of overweight was registered in the EHR for 3.3% of patients, with a figure of 1.1% for obesity. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was lower in adolescents than in children and preschoolers. Based on BMI cut-off points, we found that only 11.5% of the overweight or obese patients had these diagnoses registered in the EHR. Referral to a nutritionist or endocrinolist, and the frequency of selected laboratory tests based on BMI categories vary between 11.8 and 52.5%. An EHR can contribute to the identification of a population at risk when there is a sub-registry of these diagnoses by primary care physicians.

Differences on Spinal Curvature in Standing Position by Gender, Age and Weight Status Using a Noninvasive Method

This aim was to examine differences on lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis in standing position by gender, age and weight status in healthy subjects using a noninvasive method. A total of 297 women (36.6 ± 7.3 years) and 362 men (39.8 ± 7.5 years) participated in this study. Participants were categorized according to the international BMI (kg/m2) cut-off points. Age was stratified by ten years increments starting from 20 y. Men showed smaller lumbar lordosis (17.3 ± 9.3) and larger thoracic kyphosis (42.8 ± 8.8°) than women (29.6 ± 11.3 and 40.4 ± 9.5° respectively; both p < .001). Older groups presented smaller lumbar lordosis and larger thoracic kyphosis values compared with the 20-29 y group (20.9 ± 10.4, 20.8 ± 11.2 and 23.6 ± 12.6° for ≥ 50, 40-49 and 30-39 y, respectively vs. 26.7 ± 12.2° for 20-29 y in lumbar lordosis and 42.6 ± 9.8, 42.61 ± 8.7 and 41.8 ± 8.9° for ≥ 50, 40-49 and 30-39 y, respectively vs. 37.5 ± 10.9° for 20-29 y in thoracic kyphosis; both p < .05). Finally, overweight and obese groups showed smaller lumbar lordosis (19.4 ± 11.1 and 20.9 ± 11.8° respectively) and larger thoracic kyphosis values (42.7 ± 8.9 and 42.8 ± 9.4° respectively) compared with nonoverweight participants (25.1 ± 12.4 and 40.6 ± 9.2° for lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis respectively; all p < .05). However, when gender, age and weight status were take into account all together only gender seems to influence the lumbar lordosis curvature. The results of this study suggest that gender could be the only determinant factor of lumbar lordosis in healthy people.

Introduction: The First Forum on Child Obesity Interventions

Introduction: The First Forum on Child Obesity Interventions

The association of diabetes and BMI among Melanesian and Indian Fijians aged ≥ 40 years

The present study examines the association of diabetes with BMI (kg/m(2)) in Asian-Indian and Melanesian Fijian populations sharing a common environment. A population-based survey was used to investigate the risk of diabetes (defined by glycosylated Hb concentration ≥ 6·5 % among participants who denied previous diagnosis of the disease by a medical practitioner) by sex, ethnicity and strata of BMI in a series of age-adjusted logistic regression models. Ethnicity and BMI interactions were compared using WHO and empirically derived BMI cut-off points. Indians had a greater risk (BMI and age adjusted) of undetected diabetes than Melanesians in both males (OR 2·99, 95 % CI 1·73, 5·17; P < 0·001) and females (OR 2·26, 95 % CI 1·56, 3·28; P < 0·001). BMI ≥ 25 to < 30 and ≥ 30 kg/m(2) conferred a higher risk of diabetes compared with a BMI ≥ 18·5 to < 25 kg/m(2). Risk was higher for males with a BMI ≥ 25 to < 30 kg/m(2) (OR 2·35, 95 % CI 1·24, 4·46; P = 0·007) and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) (OR 6·08, 95 % CI 3·06, 12·07; P < 0·001) than for females with the same BMI (OR 1·85, 95 % CI 1·11, 3·08; P = 0·027 and OR 2·10, 95 % CI 1·28, 3·44; P = 0·002, respectively). However, the threshold that appeared to differentiate higher risk varied by ethnicity and sex. For Melanesians, BMI thresholds suggested were 25 kg/m(2) for males and 32 kg/m(2) for females. For Indo-Fijians, these were 24 and 22 kg/m(2) for males and females, respectively. Disaggregating by ethnicity and sex, and applying specific evidence-based thresholds, may render BMI a more discriminating tool for assessing the risk of developing diabetes among Fiji adults.

Community-Specific BMI Cutoff Points for South Indian Females

Objective. To analyze multiparameters related to total body composition, with specific emphasis on obesity in South Indian females, in order to derive community-specific BMI cutoff points. Patients and Methods. A total number of 87 females (of age 37.33 ± 13.12 years) from South Indian Chennai urban population participated in this clinical study. Body composition analysis and anthropometric measurements were acquired after conducting careful clinical examination. Results. BMI demonstrated high significance when normal group (21.02 ± 1.47 kg/m2) was compared with obese group (29.31 ± 3.95 kg/m2), P < 0.0001. BFM displayed high significance when normal group (14.92 ± 4.28 kg) was compared with obese group (29.94 ± 8.1 kg), P < 0.0001. Conclusion. Community-specific BMI cutoffs are necessary to assess obesity in different ethnic groups, and relying on WHO-based universal BMI cutoff points would be a wrong strategy.

Inverse But Independent Trends in Obesity and Fitness Levels among Greek Children: A Time-Series Analysis from 1997 to 2007

Objective: We examined secular trends in physical fitness and BMI status in 8- to 9-year-old Greek children during an 11-year period (1997–2007). Methods: Population data derived from a yearly health survey performed in over 85% of Greek schools. Anthropometric measurements and physical fitness tests from 651,582 children were analyzed. The gender- and age-specific BMI cut-off points by the International Obesity Task Force were used to define overweight/obesity. Results: Aerobic performance decreased by 4.9% (p < 0.001) for boys and 4.4% (p < 0.001) for girls between 1997 and 2007 while obesity increased by approximately 50% in both genders (p < 0.001). Time-series analyses revealed that the increasing trends in obesity were independent of the reduction in fitness levels. An increase from 21% in 1997 to 48.2% in 2007 was observed in the prevalence of the low quartile of aerobic performance for girls (p < 0.001) and from 25.7% in 1997 to 38.7% in 2007 (p < 0.001) for boys. Approximately 80% and 85% of obese boys and girls, respectively, failed to pass the low quartile of all aerobic tests in 2007. Conclusions: Inverse but independent trends in obesity and fitness levels were observed among Greek children during an 11-year period (1997–2007), a fact that predisposes our children to serious health risks as they grow older.

BMI misclassification, leptin, C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6 in young women with differing levels of lean and fat mass

To describe the misclassification of obesity based on BMI criteria, in women with similar fat mass but differing lean mass levels, and to describe how the misclassification relates to circulating serum leptin, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Cross-sectional study. Healthy women aged 18-35 (n = 255). Body fat was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Obesity was defined using WHO cut-off points for BMI and body fat % (BF%) ≥35. Participants were grouped as: (1) high fat mass/high lean mass, (2) high fat mass/low lean mass, (3) low fat mass/high lean mass, and (4) low fat mass/low lean mass. Serum leptin, hsCRP and IL-6 were assayed using commercial kits. According to BMI, 18.8.5% of the subjects (n = 48) were overweight and 13.7 (n = 35) were obese; in contrast, according to BF%, 48.6% (n = 124) were obese. While, the BF% of the high-fat groups was virtually identical (at 42.7% [sd = 7.0] and 41.8% [sd = 4.2], respectively), the BMI of the high fat/high lean group was significantly greater than that of the high fat low/low lean group (30.0 ± 5.2 and 24.9 ± 1.9, respectively). Leptin, hsCRP and IL-6 concentrations in the high-fat groups were not significantly different from each other, but were significantly greater than in the low-fat groups. BMI underestimates obesity in young women; misclassifying women with high fat mass and low lean mass as 'normal' when BF%, leptin, hsCRP and IL-6 suggest they are obese.

Postural balance under normal and altered sensory conditions in normal-weight and overweight children

Background Little or no research has been done in the overweight child on the relative contribution of multisensory information to maintain postural stability. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate postural balance control under normal and experimentally altered sensory conditions in normal-weight versus overweight children. Methods Sixty children were stratified into a younger (7–9 yr) and an older age group (10–12 yr). Participants were also classified as normal-weight (n = 22) or overweight (n = 38), according to the international BMI cut-off points for children. Postural stability was assessed during quiet bilateral stance in four sensory conditions (eyes open or closed, normal or reduced plantar sensation), using a Kistler force plate to quantify COP dynamics. Coefficients of variation were calculated as well to describe intra-individual variability. Findings Removal of vision resulted in systematically higher amounts of postural sway, but no significant BMI group differences were demonstrated across sensory conditions. However, under normal conditions lower plantar cutaneous sensation was associated with higher COP velocities and maximal excursion of the COP in the medial-lateral direction for the overweight group. Regardless of condition, higher variability was shown in the overweight children within the 7–9 yr old subgroup for postural sway velocity, and more specifically medial–lateral velocity. Interpretation In spite of these subtle differences, results did not establish any clear underlying sensory organization impairments that may affect standing balance performance in overweight children compared to normal-weight peers. Consequently, it is believed that other factors account for overweight children's functional balance deficiencies.

Variations in BMI and Prevalence of Health Risks in Diverse Racial and Ethnic Populations

When examining health risks associated with the BMI, investigators often rely on the customary BMI thresholds of the 1995 World Health Organization report. However, within-interval variations in morbidity and mortality can be substantial, and the thresholds do not necessarily correspond to identifiable risk increases. Comparing the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease (CHD), asthma, and arthritis among non-Hispanic whites, blacks, East Asians and Hispanics, we examine differences in the BMI-health-risk relationships for small BMI increments. The analysis is based on 11 years of data of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), with a sample size of 337,375 for the combined 1997-2007 Sample Adult. The analysis uses multivariate logistic regression models, employing a nonparametric approach to modeling the BMI-health-risk relationship, while relying on narrowly defined BMI categories. Rising BMI levels are associated with higher levels of chronic disease burdens in four major racial and ethnic groups, even after adjusting for many socio-demographic characteristics and three important health-related behaviors (smoking, physical activity, alcohol consumption). For all population groups, except East Asians, a modestly higher disease risk was noted for persons with a BMI <20 compared with persons with BMI in the range of 20-21. Using five chronic conditions as risk criteria, a categorization of the BMI into normal weight, overweight, or obesity appears arbitrary. Although the prevalence of disease risks differs among racial and ethnic groups regardless of BMI levels, the evidence presented here does not support the notion that the BMI-health-risk profile of East Asians and others warrants race-specific BMI cutoff points.

Change in prevalence of overweight and obesity in Finnish children – comparison between 1974 and 2001

To analyse the possible changes in the prevalence of overweight and obesity comparing birth cohorts from four different decades in Finland. A retrospective longitudinal growth study. The subjects representing five birth cohorts: 1974 (n = 1109), 1981 (n = 987), 1991 (n = 586), 1995 (n = 856) and 2001 (n = 766) in the city of Tampere and three rural municipalities in Finland. Data included five consecutive height and weight measurements from 2 to 15 years of age. Normal weight, overweight and obesity at the time points were classified by body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2) ) according to international age- and gender-specific BMI cut-off points. The chi-square test was used to analyse the differences in the between birth cohorts. The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity decreased significantly in 2-year-old boys (p = 0.009) and girls (p = 0.002) from 1974 to 2001. Insignificant fluctuation was seen in 5- and 7-year-old children. Both the prevalence of obesity and the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity showed a significant increase in 12- (p = 0.031 and p < 0.001) and 15-year-old boys (p < 0.001 in both) from the 1970s to 2000s. In girls, the prevalence of obesity as well as the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity increased significantly in the age group of 12 years (p = 0.023), but not in that of 15 years. During the last three decades, overweight and obesity have become clearly more prevalent in Finnish young adolescents. This trend has been more obvious in boys than in girls. At the same time, 2-year-old children have shown an opposite trend.

Familial And Individual Variables Associated With Sport Participation In Portuguese Children

The number of studies focused on children sport participation (SP) correlates is limited. Understanding the familial and individual variables that are associated with children's SP is needed to better understand the individual development of effective intervention strategies to encourage SP. PURPOSE: To examine the association between some selected individual (age, gender, body mass index [BMI] social economic status [SES]) and family (father, mother and siblings SP) variables with the SP among Portuguese children aged 8 to 10. METHODS: A random sample of 683 children students (331 females and 352 males), that attend to 3th to 4th grade of basic education level were surveyed trough the use of a reliable and valid questionnaire previously developed and tested. Children were classified as normal-weight, overweight, or obese using international BMI cut-off points. SES was assessed by the family's annual income. Multivariable logistic regression was used in data analysis. SPSS 17.0 was used in all analyses. RESULTS: (1) Boys were more likely to participate in sports than girls (OR:2.6, 95%CI:1.7-3.9); (2) Children with high SES were more involved in sports (OR:1.7, 95%CI:1.4-2.2); (3) Children were more likely to participate in sports when their siblings also participate (OR:2.5; 95%CI:1.7-3.6); (4) Age was not related to children SP (OR:0.9, 95%CI:0.7-1.1); (5) No significant difference in SP was detected when comparing overweight (OR:1.0, 95%CI:0.6-1.6) and obese (OR:0.9, 95%CI:0.4-1.6) with normal-weight children; (6) Father (OR:1.6, 95%CI:0.8-2.7) and mother (OR:1.7, 95%CI:0.8-3.8) SP were not found to affect the SP of the children. CONCLUSIONS: Family environment and individual variables - in particular gender, SES and siblings' SP - were significantly associated with children SP. These results also suggest that girls and low SES children in Portugal should be targeted for interventions and that siblings should be involved in program modifications. Supported by FCT grant SFRH/BD/42347/2007.

Tracking excess weight and obesity from childhood to young adulthood: a 12-year prospective cohort study in Slovenia

The objective was to examine the tracking of obesity from childhood to young adulthood in Slovenia. A subsample included 4833 children from the Slovenian national sample (n 21 777) who were included in the SLOFIT monitoring system from 1997 to 2008, with complete data at 7 years and 18 years. A 12-year prospective cohort study. Height, weight and triceps skinfold thickness (TSF) were measured at 7, 11, 14 and 18 years. The BMI cut-off points of the International Obesity Taskforce were used to identify excess weight and obesity. The survey was conducted in Slovenian primary and secondary schools from 1988 to 2008 but only the data from the measurements in 1997, 2001, 2004 and 2008 are presented. Height, weight and BMI at 18 years were well predicted from childhood and became more predictable with age, while TSF was not. Obese and overweight children had the greatest risk of becoming obese or overweight young adults. The history of their weight shows that 40.0 % of males and 48.6 % of females who were obese at 18 years had already been obese at 7 years. Overweight or obese Slovenian children are more likely to become overweight or obese adolescents and young adults than reported in other similar European and American studies, which indicates the need for early prevention and treatment of excess weight and obesity.