Survey on overweight and obesity of preschool children in rural areas from ten provinces of China
Xie, S.; Wang, J.; Li, N.; Jiang, W.; Yang, S.; Li, X.; Ling, Z.; Zhang, J.
Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 35(4): 425-428
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 0254-6450 PMID: 25009034 Document Number: 676598
To analyze the status of overweight and obesity among preschool children in rural areas of ten provinces in China. Using data from "Physical development of rural children under the age of 7 from ten provinces of China in 2006", preschool children were selected as the object of study. Overweight, mild obesity, moderately obese, severe obesity were defined as:weight was over 10%, 20%, 30%, 50% than the same sex under height population reference mean. SPSS 13.0 software was used for statistical analysis. χ² test was used to compare rates. A total number of 38 923 preschool children were included in the study. The overall prevalence of overweight was 4.18%, with boy's higher than girl's (χ² = 4.343 6, P = 0.037 1) and the highest rate of overweight (5.80%) was seen in the 3-year-old group. The overall prevalence of obesity was 1.21% , with majority as mild (0.78%). There was no significant difference between boys and girls (χ² = 0.389 0, P = 0.532 8). The 6 to 7 year old group had the highest rate of obesity (1.42%). In the ten provinces, the prevalence rates of overweight were 1.38%-7.62% and the obesity were 0.57%-3.08% . The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity showed the highest in Jilin and lowest in Guangxi. The overall prevalence rates of overweight and obesity among preschool children in rural areas of China were low, with 3 to 4-year-olds appeared in the age of high incidence of overweight and obesity. The overall prevalence rates of overweight and obesity in northern area were higher than in other areas.