Prevalence and stabilizing trends in overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in China, 2011-2015

Abstract

BackgroundThe prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity in developed countries appears to be plateauing. The purpose of this study was to provide the most recent data on the prevalence and trends in overweight and obesity among Chinese children and adolescents from 2011 to 2015.MethodsWe used data collected in the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) and China Nutritional Transition Cohort Study (CNTCS). We used two waves of the survey in 12 provinces conducted in 2011 (aged 7–18 years; n = 1458) and 2015 (aged 7–18 years; n = 1084) to perform a trend analysis. We used data collected in 15 provinces (aged 7–18 years; n = 1617) to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Chinese children and adolescents in 2015.ResultsIn 2015, based on the Working Group for Obesity in China (WGOC) criteria, the prevalence of overweight and obesity were 14.0% (95% CI, 11.6–16.3) and 10.5% (95% CI, 8.4–12.6) in boys, and 9.7% (95% CI, 7.7–11.8) and 7.1% (95% CI, 5.2–8.9) in girls, respectively. The increase in BMI z-scores from 2011 to 2015 was statistically significant among adolescents (p = 0.0083), but not among children. No significant changes were observed in prevalence of overweight and obesity between 2011 and 2015, excepting adolescents aged 12–18 years (p = 0.0086).ConclusionsSince 2011, overweight has remained stable, and obesity has stabilized in children, though not in adolescents. Although levels of childhood overweight and obesity in China are not high compared to other developed countries, they remain concerning enough that effective policies and interventions need to be sustained and intensified for lowering rates of childhood overweight and obesity.

Prevalence of malocclusion in Chinese schoolchildren from 1991 to 2018: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…The pooled results of 16 included studies showed that males had a slightly higher prevalence than females, which was consistent with the results reported in some previous studies but contradictory to the results reported in other studies . The differences in the prevalence between genders observed in this study may be attributed to the latest finding that the rates of obesity and overweight are greater for males than for females in China, and obesity has been shown to be a risk factor for malocclusion . In addition, the sexual dimorphism in skeletal maturity might have contributed to the variations in the reported results.…”

Double Burden of Malnutrition: Examining the Growth Profile and Coexistence of Undernutrition, Overweight, and Obesity among School-Aged Children and Adolescents in Urban and Rural Counties in Henan Province, China

“…A cross-sectional study with the annual China National Nutrition and Health Survey (CHNS) [5,6,25,26] was conducted in Henan Province from September 2010 to January 2014 using a multistage stratified population-based cluster random sampling technique.…”

“…One of the most recent national studies reported that, in China, 42% of adults and about one-fifth of all children are overweight or obese [4]. Although changes to dietary patterns and rising obesity in Chinese adolescents and children have been reported in the nationally representative China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) [5,6], malnutrition remains a threat that may hold back a generation of Chinese in certain geographic areas [7]. For instance, while China's dynamic urban population thrives, much of rural China is mired in poverty [8].…”

Associations of maternal glycemia and prepregnancy BMI with early childhood growth: a prospective cohort study

“…The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in children worldwide has resulted in a growing risk of the future burden of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease . With the rapid economic development of China in recent years, the prevalence of childhood obesity has greatly increased . A recent study conducted in 12 provinces in 2011–2015 indicated that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children was 11.7% and 9.0%, respectively, compared with 6.5% and 2.7%, respectively, in 2002 .…”

“…With the rapid economic development of China in recent years, the prevalence of childhood obesity has greatly increased . A recent study conducted in 12 provinces in 2011–2015 indicated that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children was 11.7% and 9.0%, respectively, compared with 6.5% and 2.7%, respectively, in 2002 . Identifying risk factors associated with childhood obesity may help develop early intervention strategies for prevention.…”