The prevalence of obesity in elementary school children in Kwangju

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recently, childhood obesity has been increasing steeply. Many obese children have complications and high risks to become obese as adults. Therefore, we performed this study to assess childhood obesity in Kwangju area. METHODS: We examined 11,039 children(boys5,547, girls5,492) of ages 6-12 years. We defined obesity as more than 97th percentile of weight at each height. We also examined the degree of obesity by comparing with stsndard weight, which is defined as more than 20% above the standard weight for height. We identified four groups according to the degree of obeiity. The ranges for each group was as follows obesity at from 20% above the standard weight for height, mild obesity at 30% below and 20% above the standard weight for height, and moderate obesity at 50% below and 30% above the standard weight for height, and severe obesity at 50% above the standard weight for height. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity that exceeded the weight centiles at each height by more than 97th pereentile was 12.17%. The prevalence of obesity that exceeded the standard weight for height by more than 20% was 13.31%. Among them, 8.02/o were mild obesity, 4.44% were moderate obesity and 0. 84% were severe obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Recently, the frequency of childhood obesity goes high in our society. We now know that obesity is a risk factor for some diseases, and therefore, more effective approaches should be developed treat and prevent childhood obesity.