Trends in obesity, overweight, and malnutrition among children and adolescents in Shenyang, China in 2010 and 2014: a multiple cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundThe prevalence, characteristics, and trends in obesity, overweight, and malnutrition among children and adolescents in 2010 and 2014 in Shenyang, China was described.MethodsThis was a multiple cross-sectional study using data from the 2010 and 2014 National Survey on Students’ Constitution and Health. A total of 31,031 children and adolescents were included in this survey. Differences in the percentages of obesity, overweight, and malnutrition by age, gender, and living region in 2010 and 2014 were compared using the χ2 test. Stepwise logistic regression was performed to select potential covariates for the dependent variable (overweight, obesity, or malnutrition).ResultsThe prevalence of obesity and overweight in 2010 was 8.99% and 13.72%, respectively, and 12.64% and 14.06% in 2014, respectively. The prevalence of malnutrition was 10.68% and 10.69% in 2010, and 2014, respectively. In 2010 and 2014, boys and girls 7–11 years of age had higher rates of obesity than other age groups (P < 0.01). The prevalence of obesity and overweight was significantly higher in the urban residents compared to the rural residents, and was also significantly higher in boys than girls (P < 0.01); however, the prevalence of malnutrition was significantly lower in boys than girls (P < 0.01). Compared to 2010, the prevalence of obesity in 2014 increased significantly in boys and girls, and urban and rural residents (P < 0.05), but the prevalence of malnutrition did not change. The prevalence of obesity, overweight, and malnutrition was associated with gender, age, and living region by univariate logistic regressions.ConclusionThe prevalence of obesity and overweight has continuously risen since 2010, and there is a low-age trend of obesity and overweight among children and adolescents in Shenyang, China. The increasing rate of obesity and overweight was faster in rural than urban areas. Malnutrition did not significantly decrease during the 4-year period from 2010–2014.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with malnutrition among adolescents in rural Tanzania

“…However, our findings also reveal a higher prevalence of underweight (14%) among adolescents in rural districts than the study (10.9%) by Otis et al . Findings of this study are also consistent with other studies from Burkina Faso, China, and a review of the literature published from the eastern Mediterranean, Latin America, Africa and Asia, all reporting high prevalence of stunting and thinness among adolescents .…”

Pre-natal and post-natal exposure to pet ownership and lung function in children: The Seven Northeastern Cities Study

“…Moreover, in the current study, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 15.9% and 17.1% for 7‐ to 14‐year children, respectively. This prevalence was similar to the results reported from the study from the same area, but higher than the prevalence in European Second, due to the funding and resource limitations, our pet ownership measures were based on questionnaire responses alone. We were unable to measure the individual amount of pet‐related allergen, which may be able to say more about the actual impact on lung development.…”

Determination of overnutrition using mid-upper arm circumference in comparison with bioelectrical impedance analysis in children and adolescents in Benin, Nigeria

“…In contrast to this study, Lu et al [21] reported a higher mean MUAC among males in Han, China (20.9 ± 3.7 cm vs 20.2 ± 3.2 cm, p o0.001). The reason for this was not given by the authors but Zhai et al [22] with similar findings in a study in China noted a traditional, societal preference for male children who are favored to enjoy more of the family resources.…”