Waist Circumference, Waist-to-Height Ratio and Body Mass Index of Thai Children: Secular Changes and Updated Reference Standards
Background: The prevalence of obesity in pediatric age group has been increasing globally. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) are commonly used to define obesity. The cut-off references for these parameters vary between racial and ethnic groups. We...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2014-11-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/5131/10017_CE(Ra)_F(Sh)_PF1(AJAK)_PFA(Sh).pdf |
| Summary: | Background: The prevalence of obesity in pediatric age
group has been increasing globally. Body mass index (BMI),
waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)
are commonly used to define obesity. The cut-off references
for these parameters vary between racial and ethnic groups.
We aimed to measure the secular changes and update the
reference standards for these three parameters for Thai children
in this study.
Materials and Methods: We completed a cross-sectional
survey of 3,885 school children 6.0-12.99 y of age in Ongkharak
district of central Thailand during May to June 2013. Weight,
height and WC were recorded by trained staff using sensitive
and calibrated instruments. BMI and WHtR were calculated by
standard formulae. The summary estimates were described by
gender and whole year age groups. Age and gender specific
smoothened percentile curves were created by using least
mean squares method. The data was compared with that from
a 2008 cohort from the same area.
Results: Age and gender specific percentile data and curves of
WC, WHtR and BMI have been provided for Thai children. BMI
and WC increased but WHtR changed relatively little with age
in both genders. In comparison to 2008, WC and WHtR have
increased consistently across all age groups and both genders.
The 75th percentile for WHtR corresponded closely to 0.50 in
both genders which has been the suggested cut-off.
Conclusion: Since 2008, there have been significant increase in
WC and WHtR across all age groups and in both genders in Thai
children. These indicate increasing prevalence of central obesity
and upcoming cardio-metabolic health problems. This needs to
be tackled urgently by creating awareness and promotion of
healthy diets and physical activities in school children. WC and
WHtR should be routinely measured in paediatric examination
for early diagnosis of central obesity. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |