Change in Nutritional Status of Elementary School Children

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the present nutritional status with that of previous surveys done in Korea and other advance countries. METHODS: We measured the arm circumference and triceps skinfold thickness of 1,009 students of Hanyang Elementary School. We analyzed the arm muscle area and arm fat area. We analyzed the lomgitudinal height and weight of 6th grade children. We used an obesity index to estimate the prevalence of obesity. RESULTS: The mean height increased to 4.2-6.6cm in boys, 3.7-6.3cm in girls and the mean weight increased to 3.7-9.7kg in boys, 3.2-8.2kg in girls. The median of arm circumference increased to 7-44mm in boys, 8-36mm in girls. The median of triceps skinfold thickness increased to 1.7-7.8mm in boys, 2.3-6.4mm in girls. The mean of arm muscle area increased to 1.0-7.4cm2 in boys, 0.2-5.4cm2 in girls. The mean of arm fat area increased to 2.4-9.6cm2 in boys, 3.0-8.9cm2 in girls. The prevalence of obesity was 27% in boys and 24% in girls. CONCLUSION: Current data revealed marked increase in arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, arm muscle area and arm fat area than those of previous standard data established in Korea, 1984, approaching 1981 U.S standards. The increase in arm fat area and increased prevalence of obesity suggest an increased intake of calorie with relative deficiency in physical activity.