Adipose tissue distribution of Czech seven-year-old children according to waist circumference and WHtR – COSI project 2016–2019
Abstract
Waist circumference, as a parameter of abdominal obesity, is a major criterion of the metabolic syndrome and is associated with a number of cardiometabolic diseases. WHO Europe organizes surveillance of childhood obesity (COSI = Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative), in which the Czech Republic has been participating since the it's start in years 2007/2008.
The aim of this project is to monitor the prevalence of overweight, and obesity, risk waist circumference and environmental factors involved in body weight change. Waist circumference and waist to height ratio (WHtR) positively correlate with the amount of visceral adipose tissue.
In the fifth round in 2019, risk waist circumference was found in 11.37 % of boys and 12.37 % of girls, of which 17.29 % of boys and 7.19 % of girls had BMI < 90.centil (assessed according to Czech reference values). Concurrently, 11.11 % of boys and 13.61 % of girls had increased WHtR, of which 13.85 % of boys and 20.92 % of girls had BMI < 90.percentil.
Therefore, it is important to devote attention to preventive and treatment programs. Due to the relatively high prevalence of subjects with weight BMI < 90.percentil and with a risk waist circumference or risk WHtR the waist circumference measurement may be considered in clinical practice.