Obesity Rates in Preschool Children in Canada
Author Information
Author(s): Laurie K Twells, Leigh A Newhook
Primary Institution: Memorial University
Hypothesis
How do different growth references affect the prevalence estimates of overweight and obesity in preschool children?
Conclusion
The CDC reported a much higher prevalence of obesity compared to the other references, indicating that the prevalence of childhood obesity is dependent on the growth reference used.
Supporting Evidence
- The CDC classified twice as many children as obese compared to the IOTF.
- The prevalence of overweight was reported as 19.1% by CDC and 18.2% by IOTF.
- The WHO reported a higher prevalence of obesity at 26.7%.
Takeaway
This study looked at how many preschool kids in Canada are overweight or obese using different methods. It found that the way we measure can change the results a lot.
Methodology
Weights and heights of preschool children were measured, and BMI was calculated using three different growth references.
Potential Biases
There may be inconsistencies in classification due to the different growth references used.
Limitations
The study used a non-random sample from one region in Canada.
Participant Demographics
The sample consisted of 1026 preschool children with a mean age of 4.5 years, including 537 boys and 489 girls.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website