Development and tracking of body mass index from preschool age into adolescence in rural South African children: Ellisras Longitudinal Growth and Health Study.

The purpose of this observational prospective cohort study was to investigate the development and tracking of body mass index (BMI) of Ellisras rural children from preschool age into late adolescence from the Ellisras Longitudinal Growth and Health Study. Heights and weights of children were measured according to the standard procedures recommended by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry twice a year from 1996 to 2003. In total, 2,225 children--550 preschool and 1,675 primary school--aged 3-10 years (birth cohorts 1993 to 1986) were enrolled at baseline in 1996 and followed through out the eight-year periodic surveys. In 2003, 1,771 children--489 preschool and 1,282 primary school--were still in the study. The prevalence of overweight was significantly higher among girls (range 1.6-15.5%) compared to boys (range 0.3-4.9%) from age 9.1 years to 14.9 years. The prevalence of thinness (severe, moderate, and mild) ranged from 7.1% to 53.7% for preschool children and from 8.0% to 47.6% for primary school children. Both preschool and primary school children showed a significant association between the first measurements of BMI and the subsequent measurement which ranged from B=0.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.1-0.4) to B=0.8 (95% CI 0.6-0.9) for preschool and B=0.2 (95% CI 0.1-0.3) to B=0.7 (95% CI 0.6-0.8) for primary children. A significant tracking of BMI during 4-12 years of life was more consistent for preschool children (B=0.6 (95% CI 0.6-0.7) and for primary school children (B=0.6 (95% CI 0.5-0.6). Investigation of nutritional intake and physical activity patterns will shed light on how healthy these children are and their lifestyle.

Somatotype and blood pressure of rural South African children aged 6-13 years: Ellisras longitudinal growth and health study.

BACKGROUND: Physique has been useful in assessing the outcome of underlying growth and maturity processes, which leads to a better understanding of variation in child and adult health. However, a high endomorphy rating has been associated with hypertension in adults, posing a serious threat to their health status, while receiving little attention in children. AIM: The study examined the association between somatotypes, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) in 6-13-year-old rural children, in Ellisras, South Africa. SUBJECTS: A total of 1902 subjects (980 boys and 922 girls) aged 6-13 years were studied as part of the Ellisras Longitudinal Study. Height, weight, four skinfold sites, two breadths, and two girths were measured according to the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). The Heath-Carter method of somatotyping was used, together with internationally recommended cut-off points for BMI in children. Hypertension, defined as the average of three separate BP readings, where the systolic or diastolic BP is greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for age and sex, was determined. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension ranges from 1 to 5.8% in boys and 3.4-11.4% in girls. The prevalence of overweight ranges from 1.1 to 2.9% in boys and 0.6-4.6% in girls. Systolic BP and BMI showed a significant positive correlation at age 6 years (r = 0.436) and 10-13 years (r = 0.180-0.246 in boys and r = 0.221-0.271 in girls). Diastolic BP showed an insignificant correlation with the BMI and somatotype components in boys and girls. CONCLUSION: A significant association exists between BP and BMI, and ectomorphy components even after being adjusted for age, gender and height. The need to manage hypertensive individuals is evident in this sample to combat this chronic disease from an early age. Follow-up studies should investigate the relationship between BP and the dietary intake of these children.

Weight and health status of black female students.

OBJECTIVE: To examine black female students for the occurrence of risk factors associated with chronic diseases of lifestyle, namely obesity, hypertension, nicotine usage, dyslipidaemia and compromised mental health (depression). DESIGN: A cross-sectional analytical study design was used. All participants were examined within a period of 3 months during 1994. Weight, height, and hip and waist measurements were taken. Body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC) were calculated for each subject. Two systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings were taken for each participant. Questionnaires were used to determine specific risk factors related to lifestyle. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to measure psychological well-being. Fasting blood samples were collected and analysed for serum lipids and iron status. SETTING: The University of the North in the Northern Province of South Africa. SUBJECTS: A complete data set of sociodemographic information, anthropometric measurements and blood pressure readings, as well as a psychological health test and a medical questionnaire, were obtained from 231 of the 431 first-year female students who attended the university orientation programme. Only students with a complete data set were included in the sample. RESULTS: Eighteen per cent of students were overweight (BMI 25-29.9), 6.5% were obese (BMI > or = 30), and 26.8% were underweight. Mean blood pressure, BMI, WHR and WC increased significantly with age and were highest among the > or = 24-year-olds. Only 1.6% of students had elevated blood pressure, 1.0% smoked and 4.4% took snuff. BMI, WC and WHR were positively correlated with blood pressure and age. Few students had dyslipidaemia (3.8% cholesterol > 5.2 mmol/l). However 14.5% were anaemic (Hb < 11.5 g/dl) and 24.6% had microcytosis (< 80 fl). Nearly one-fifth of students (17.7%) were classified as being moderately to severely depressed. CONCLUSIONS: Black female students younger than 24 years exhibited few risk factors associated with chronic diseases of lifestyle. However in older women (> or = 24 years) there were significant increases in BMI, WHR, WC and blood pressure. A large number of students of all ages exhibited moderate to severe depression and anaemia was prevalent.