Secular trends in overweight and obesity among urban children and adolescents, 2003–2012: A serial cross-sectional study in Guangzhou, China

Abstract

Childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity are increasing in China, but limited information is available on its secular trends in Guangzhou. In this cross-sectional study, ten-wave successive data were obtained from the physical fitness surveillance for students in Guangzhou from 2003 to 2012. A total of 2,619,154 urban students aged 7–18 years were included. The age-standardized prevalence of overweight and obesity increased significantly over the period: overweight rose from 10.15% to 14.07% in boys and 6.39% to 8.11% in girls, while obesity increased from 5.65% to 8.31% for boys and 3.43% to 4.12% for girls, respectively (P < 0.05). The increasing trend was significant across almost all age-sex-specific groups (P < 0.05), especially in the last five years. The prevalence of overweight and obesity grew continuously in both sexes, but the pace of change for boys were faster than that for girls. The highest prevalence of overweight was found among 10- to 12-year-old boys, that of obesity among 7- to 9-year-old boys and girls. In conclusion, overweight and obesity have increased significantly among urban children and adolescents in Guangzhou during 2003–2012. Further analysis of influencing factors and comprehensive interventions are urgently needed to combat the obesity epidemic among urban children and adolescents in Guangzhou.

The association between BMI and health-related physical fitness among Chinese college students: a cross-sectional study

“…Although genetic factor plays an important role in obesity, the environmental and lifestyle factors such as physical activity and nutrition patterns are also considered to be of major importance [17]. Studies suggested that this increase could be attributed to rapid change of dietary and physical activity patterns [18].…”

Intergenerational changes in limb circumferences in children and adolescents aged 3‐18 from Kraków (Poland) from 1983 to 2010

“…Increasing secular trends regarding body mass can be observed even in the youngest age groups (Olds, ; Sedlak, Pařízková, Daniš, Dvořáková & Vignerová, ). Furthermore, in many countries, including Poland, we observe a halt in the positive secular trend for body height, while there is still an increasing secular trend for body weight, resulting in the significant intergenerational growth in BMI (Freedman et al, ; Kryst et al, ; Sanna & Soro, ; Topçu, Orhon, Ulukol & Başkan, ; Zong et al, ).…”

Association between the effects of body mass index on lung volumes among students in Jiangsu Province

“…Obesity increases at an alarming rate in the world's population, including the Chinese communities. [1][2][3] It is estimated that 150 million adults and 15 million children are obese, and almost 30.4 million overweight or obese children and adolescents of China in 2010. 4 Some studies show increasing of obesity incidents in China, owing to rapid economic development and dramatic transitions in lifestyle of Chinese populations.…”

“…4 Some studies show increasing of obesity incidents in China, owing to rapid economic development and dramatic transitions in lifestyle of Chinese populations. [1][2][3]5 However, its cure has remained mostly ineffective, followed by the poor physical activities among students which reported causing numerous health problems, such as damaged lung function in children and adolescents. 6 Lately, obesity reports cause a significant change in the respiratory system, resulting in loss on thoracoabdominal synchronism.…”

“…[10][11][12] Even though, obesity has reported increasing among student in Jiangsu Province, 3 furthermore, BMI was reported had reported effects on lung function that can reduce respiratory well-being, while others numerous studies have reports of the relationship between BMI and lung capacity in many areas, but yielded inconsistent results. [1][2][3]13,14 But up-to-date there has never been a large study showing the association between BMI and the lung volumes among of students in Jiangsu Province, China, we consider more studies were required for the future of student's health.…”