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Increasing prevalence of obesity in South Australian 4‐year‐olds: 1995−2002
Author(s) -
Vaska VL,
Volkmer R
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/j.1034-4810.2004.00401.x
Subject(s) - medicine , obesity , pediatrics , demography , environmental health , sociology
Objective: To determine prevalence of, and trends in, overweight and obesity in South Australian children aged 4 years during the period 1995−2002. Methods: Data from 114 669 children collected as part of Child and Youth Health ‘preschool health assessments’ of 4‐year‐olds throughout the state in the years 1995−2002 were analysed. Body mass index was calculated from height and weight data and prevalence of overweight and obesity for males and females determined using a standard world‐wide definition. Yearly prevalence rates were compared for changes over time. Results: Rates of overweight and obesity have increased over the period 1995−2002. In 1995, of females 12.8% were overweight or obese (obese 3.5%). Of males 10.2% were overweight or obese (obese 3.2%). The equivalent figures in 2002 were for females 21.4% (obese 5.8%) and males 17.3% (obese 4.1%). Rates of overweight and obesity were greater in females than males in all years (except obesity rate in 1995). Conclusion: Data from this large, consecutive yearly dataset of South Australian 4‐year‐old children show a significant increase in the rates of overweight and obesity. Much of this increase appears to have occurred in the mid‐to‐late 1990s. It is uncertain if these changes have plateaued at this time. These results reinforce rising obesity prevalence as a significant child health issue. They also indicate that obesity is seen as early as the preschool years; with implications for theories of causation and for prevention and treatment strategies.