Secular changes in height, weight and body mass index in Hong Kong Children

• Main Authors: Wang Youfa (Author), Mak Kwok-Hang (Author), Guldan Georgia S (Author), Lau Joseph TF (Author), Wong Eric MC (Author), Li Albert M (Author), Nelson Edmund AS (Author), So Hung-Kwan (Author), Fok Tai-Fai (Author), Sung Rita YT (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2008-09-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Large population growth surveys of children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 y were undertaken in Hong Kong in 1963 and 1993. The global epidemic of obesity is a major public health concern. To monitor the impact of this epidemic in Hong Kong children and to identify secular changes in growth, a further growth survey was undertaken in 2005/6.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cross-sectional height and weight measurements of 14,842 children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 y from Hong Kong's 18 districts were obtained during the 2005/6 school year. Percentile curves were constructed using LMS method and sex-specific percentile values of weight-for-age, height-for-age, and BMI-for-age were compared with those data from 1963 and 1993.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Secular changes in height, weight and BMI were noted between 1963 and 1993 and between 1993 and 2005/6. In the latter period, greater changes were observed at younger ages, and particularly in boys. On an annual basis, the 1993-2005/6 changes were less than those during 1963-1993. Using the International Obesity Task Force cut-offs, 16.7% of children were overweight or obese in 2005/6, which was a 5.1% increase since 1993.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data provide policy-makers with further evidence of the secular changes in child growth and the increasing obesity epidemic among Hong Kong children.</p>

Item Description

10.1186/1471-2458-8-320
1471-2458