Prevalence of obesity and extreme obesity in children aged 3–5 years. Issue 3 (15th May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lo, J. C.; Maring, B.; Chandra, M.; Daniels, S. R.; Sinaiko, A.; Daley, M. F.; Sherwood, N. E.; Kharbanda, E. O.; Parker, E. D.; Adams, K. F.; Prineas, R. J.; Magid, D. J.; O'Connor, P. J.; Greenspan, L. C.
• Is Part Of: Pediatric obesity. Volume 9:Issue 3(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 167
• Page End: 175
• Publication Date: 2013-05-15
• Subjects: Obesity in children -- Periodicals; Obesity in adolescence -- Periodicals; Obesity -- Periodicals; Overweight children -- Periodicals; 618.92398
• DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-6310.2013.00154.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-7174

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Summary</title> <sec id="ijpo154-sec-4001" sec-type="section"> <title>What is already known about this subject</title> <p> <list id="ijpo154-list-0001" list-type="bullet"> <list-item> <p>The prevalence of obesity in the United States has increased dramatically over the past three decades.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>There is a growing spectrum of severe obesity among children and adolescents.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>Obesity trends and race/ethnic differences may be evident at a young age.</p> </list-item> </list> </p> </sec> <sec id="ijpo154-sec-4002" sec-type="section"> <title>What this study adds</title> <p> <list id="ijpo154-list-0002" list-type="bullet"> <list-item> <p>Among children aged 3–5 years, the prevalence of obesity and severe obesity was higher in boys than in girls, and highest among children of Hispanic ethnicity.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>Within this young age group, higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with greater height percentile.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>Among obese children aged 5 years, provider recognition of obesity or elevated BMI was high, approaching 80% of children.</p> </list-item> </list> </p> </sec> <sec id="ijpo154-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Early childhood adiposity may have significant later health effects. This study examines the prevalence and recognition of obesity and severe obesity among preschool‐aged children.</p> </sec> <sec id="ijpo154-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>The electronic medical record was used to examine body mass index (BMI), height, sex and race/ethnicity in 42 559 children aged 3–5 years between 2007 and 2010. Normal or underweight (BMI < 85th percentile); overweight (BMI 85th–94th percentile); obesity (BMI ≥ 95th percentile); and severe obesity (BMI ≥ 1.2 × 95th percentile) were classified using the 2000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts. Provider recognition of elevated BMI was examined for obese children aged 5 years.</p> </sec> <sec id="ijpo154-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Among 42 559 children, 12.4% of boys and 10.0% of girls had BMI ≥ 95th percentile. The prevalence was highest among Hispanics (18.2% boys, 15.2% girls), followed by blacks (12.4% boys, 12.7% girls). A positive trend existed between increasing BMI category and median height percentile, with obesity rates highest in the highest height quintile. The prevalence of severe obesity was 1.6% overall and somewhat higher for boys compared with girls (1.9 vs. 1.4%, <italic>P</italic> < 0.01). By race/ethnicity, the highest prevalence of severe obesity was seen in Hispanic boys (3.3%). Among those aged 5 years, 77.9% of obese children had provider diagnosis of obesity or elevated BMI, increasing to 89.0% for the subset with severe obesity.</p> </sec> <sec id="ijpo154-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Obesity and severe obesity are evident as early as age 3–5 years, with race/ethnic trends similar to older children. This study underscores the need for continued recognition and contextualization of early childhood obesity in order to develop effective strategies for early weight management.</p> </sec> </abstract>