Prevalence of overweight and obesity in seven year old children in the Czech Republic, relation to adipose tissue distribution
Abstract
Increase in obesity prevalence is slowing down in numerous countries in last years. WHO Europe organizes surveillance of childhood obesity (Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative, COSI) since 2007/2008.
The Czech Republic participates in COSI since the beginning. Prevalence of overweight and obesity of 6-8 year children is followed during this study.
Seven year children are examined in the CR. Since 2008 we found that overweight and obesity prevalence in seven year old children is stable.
The results are not significantly different. In boys mild shift from overweight to obesity was observed.
In 2016 overweight was found in 7.6% of boys and in 6.5% of girls, obesity in 8.8% of boys and 6.5% of girls (according to the Czech reference values). The main factors contributing to overweight and obesity are lower education of mother, less frequent consumption of breakfast, less frequent consumption of full milk and less time spent playing outside.
Higher weight of parents, family history of obesity, higher birth weight and longer screen time were associated with higher prevalence of overweight and obesity. Waist circumference and waist/height ratio (WHtR) are markers of central adipose tissue distribution and are associated with increased health risks. 24 per cent of children with WHtR >0.5 had normal BMI.
Waist and WHtR may contribute to find out children with health risk. Overweight and obesity prevalence in Czech 7 year old children is not increasing in last years.
Further effective preventive programs should be launched in the future.