Prevalence and risk factors of being overweight or obese among children and adolescents in northeast China.

BACKGROUND

We determined the prevalence and risk profiles of being overweight or obese among children and adolescents in rural northeast China.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study consisting of 4,094 children and adolescents aged 5-18 y. Anthropometric measurements and information on health-related variables were collected by well-trained personnel. Odds ratios (ORs) are presented with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of subjects who were overweight or obese was 21.8% (15.4% overweight and 6.4% obese). Among boys, getting more sleep was found to be a protective factor against being overweight or obese, and a higher monthly family income (2,000-5,000 Chinese yuan (CNY); 1 CNY = 0.163 US dollar) was associated with an increased risk as compared with lower incomes. For girls, not having breakfast every day conferred higher odds of being overweight or obese (OR, 1.45 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11-1.91)). When both parents were overweight, this increased the risk of a child being overweight or obese in both boy (overweight father: OR, 1.54 (95% CI, 1.26-1.89); overweight mother: OR, 1.73 (95% CI, 1.35-2.22)) and girl participants (overweight father: OR, 2.01 (95% CI, 1.57-2.57); overweight mother: OR, 1.45 (95% CI, 1.07-1.96)).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of pediatric obesity in rural China was relatively high. Risk profiles should be fully considered when planning prevention and treatment programs for pediatric obesity.