Increasing risks of becoming obese after 6 years in primary school: comparing the relative risks among some schools in Bangkok, Saraburi and Sakolnakorn.

The authors carried out a retrospectively study of bodyweights of primary-school children from Grade I to Grade VI in 4 schools from Bangkok, one school from Saraburi and data of school children from a district in Sakolnakorn with a six year follow-up period. In the cohort there were 437 children from Bangkok, 225 children from Saraburi and 633 children from Sakolnakorn. Initial data show that prevalence of obesity at grade I in schools from Bangkok, Saraburi and Sakolnakorn were 16%, 23% and 4%, respectively. However, when these children were in grade VI, the prevalence of obesity increased to 31%, 30% and 9%, respectively. Relative risks of becoming obese at grade VI in children who were overweight and obese at grade I are 3 and 5 fold in Bangkok, 2 and 3 fold in Saraburi, 6 and 12 fold in Sakolnakorn, respectively. The present study shows that prevalence of obesity increased at quite dramatic rates during the primary school period in these study groups.

Acute malnutrition in childhood cancer.

A total of 155 children diagnosed as having early cancer was assessed as to their status. Their weights were markedly more decreased in proportion to height which showed that these children were in acute malnutrition. Lean body mass in these patients was decreased while total body fat was normal. This study shows that the children early diagnosed as having cancer suffer from acute malnutrition.