The objective of this paper was an evaluation of change in prevalence of overweight and obesity in Czech children, and a comparison of cut-off points for body mass index references from the Czech Republic (CzR), International Obesity Task Force and WHO. The authors conducted a survey in 7-year-old children, and compared data from 1951, 1981, 1991, 2001 and 2008 (WHO cut-offs). 2008 data were evaluated according to different cut-offs. Results showed that since 1951 in boys, overweight prevalence increased from 13.0% in 1951 to 26.8% in 2001, in girls from 10.9% to 22.9%. Obesity increased in boys from 1.7% to 8.3%, in girls from 1.7% to 6.9%. From 2001 to 2008 obesity in boys increased; obesity in girls and overweight in both genders decreased. In 2008 cohort the following values were found: overweight and obesity: CzR criteria, percentage was lowest (14.8% boys and 11.1% girls); WHO criteria, highest prevalence (23.5% boys and 19.5% girls); obesity: lowest ratio International Obesity Task Force criteria (4.4% boys, 3.3% girls), highest ratio boys WHO criteria (10.0%), girls CzR criteria (5.0%). Overweight and obesity prevalence increased in 7-year-old Czech children since 1951; since 2001 prevalence is plateauing with exception of boys. Using different body mass index references resulted in marked differences in overweight and obesity prevalence.

SUMMARYGrowth references are important for paediatric health monitoring. It is critical to understand differences in growth interpretation and potential consequences when using available growth references. This study compares the growth of Czech breastfed children with the current WHO growth standards 2006 and the Czech references 1991, 2001.A total of 960 infant/parent pairs in the Czech Republic were recruited through paediatric practices. Anthropometric data were collected during infants' first 12 months of life and parent questionnaires were gathered during a preventive visit at 18 months.Czech breastfed infants were longer with a greater head circumference at all percentiles compared to the WHO standards and were similar to the national references. The percentile weight-for-age and weight-for-length values of infants (≤ 6 months) were lower, and higher (6-12 months) compared to the WHO standards. The infant growth in the sample differed from both the WHO standards as well as the national references.Our findings indicate that the growth of Czech breastfed children differs from the current national references. These discrepancies were smaller compared to the WHO standards. The results of the study were used for new growth assessment guidelines to optimize feeding recommendations for Czech infants. The adoption of the WHO standards in the Czech Republic is not recommended.

Apart from influencing the health of the worldwide population, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the day-to-day life of all, including children. A sedentary lifestyle along with the transformation of eating and sleep habits took place in the child population. These changes created a highly obesogenic environment. Our aim was to evaluate the current weight in the child population and identify the real effects of the pandemic. Height and weight data were collected by pediatricians from the pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 periods from 3517 children (1759 boys and 1758 girls) aged 4.71 to 17.33 years. We found a significant rise in the z-score BMI between pediatric visits in the years 2019 and 2021 in both sexes aged 7, 9, 11, and 13 years. Especially alarming were the percentages of (severely) obese boys at the ages of 9 and 11 years, which exceed even the percentages of overweight boys. With the use of statistical modeling, we registered the most dramatic increment at around 12 years of age in both sexes. Based on our research in the Czech Republic, we can confirm the predictions that were given at the beginning of the pandemic that COVID-19-related restrictions worsened the already present problem of obesity and excess weight in children.

During human pregnancy an increase was found in total serum y-glutamyl transpeptidase (y-GT). The enzyme has been fractionated into five fractions by polyacrylamide electrophoresis. Four of the five isoenzymes detected in pregnancy serum were increased, none of which were found to originate in the placenta. Intestine and bone extracts were found to contain two fractions with different electrophoretic mobilities. Four zones were detected in pancreas and kidney extracts and five zones in normal and pregnancy serum. The enzyme fractions differed in molecular form and in their action with L-methionine, urea and Triton-X-100.

Introduction:Adipose tissue distribution is one of the factors influencing development of cardiometabolic complications associated with overweight and obesity. Waist circumference and waist/height ratio (WHtR) are markers of central adipose tissue distribution The aim of the study was to compare overweight/obesity and adipose tissue distribution in 7 year old Czech children and change in overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity from 2008 to 2016. WHO Europe initiated surveillance of childhood obesity (Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative COSI) in 2007/2008(1).Methods:In representative samples of 7 year old children weight, height, waist and hip circumference were measured and BMI and waist to height ratio were calculated in years 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2016. Statistical analysis was done using Statgraphics.Results and discussion:Since 2008 we found that overweight and obesity prevalence in 7- year-old children in the Czech Republic has been stable. In boys mild shift from overweight to obesity was observed. In 2016 preobesity 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 preobesity and obesity development were 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 to height ratio in all children increased in period 2008–2016. WHtR > 0.5 was suggested as a marker of abdominal adipose tissue distribution in children(2). We evaluated percentage of children with WHtR higher than 0.5 in 2008–2016. The difference was statistically significant. In 2016, 24 per cent of children with WHtR > 0.5 had normal BMI. Assessment of waist and WHtR may contribute to identify children with increased health risk.Conclusion:Overweight and obesity prevalence in Czech 7-year-old children is not increasing in last years. Waist measurement and waist to height ratio assessment are simple indicators of adipose tissue distribution in children. Further studies are necessary for evaluation of their role in childhood obesity diagnostics.