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Overweight, obesity prevalence declining among Canadian children
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After nearly 4 decades of increasing rates of childhood overweight and obesity in Canada, prevalence declined between 2004 and 2013, according to study findings published in CMAJ.
“Unfortunately, Canadian children are still relatively heavy,” the researchers wrote. “The median z scores for BMI and weight in 2012/2013 remained above those for the WHO growth charts. Although our study was unable to identify the mechanism for the observed decline in BMI z scores and rates of overweight or obesity, the introduction of BMI growth charts in 2000 may have encouraged health care providers to discuss children’s overweight or obese status more openly with families.”
Celia Rodd, MD, and Atul K. Sharma, MD, of the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, evaluated height and weight data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (2004-2005) and the Canadian Health Measures Survey (2009-2013) on 14,014 children aged 3 to 19 years to determine recent trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children from Canada using the current WHO weight charts for Canada.
Between the 2004-2005 and 2012-2013 cycles, the unadjusted mean BMI z score decreased by –0.13. Lower BMI z scores were found among older children compared with toddlers. Lower z scores for BMI, weight and height were found among girls compared with boys.
Across the survey cycles, the prevalence of overweight or obesity declined from 30.7% to 27% (P < .001); obesity prevalence remained stable at 13%. Boys were more likely to have overweight or obesity compared with girls.
“Despite a welcome decline in the prevalence of overweight or obesity and a plateau in the prevalence of obesity among Canadian children, we must continue ongoing surveillance and control measures for all children,” the researchers wrote. “Using the latest definitions and tools to describe anthropometric measurements in Canadian children, this study should be considered a benchmark for future comparisons.” – by Amber Cox
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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