J Korean Acad Fam Med.  2006 Feb;27(2):104-112.

The Prevalence of Childhood Obesity, Risk Factors, and Obesity Related Disease in Elementary Students

• Park JB
• Choi TI
• Kim JS
• Jung DS
• Kim KN
• Lee SY
• Kang JH

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recently, childhood obesity has been increased and has resulted in serious health problems. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of childhood obesity and its risk factors in elementary students.
METHODS
One thousand nine hundred and eleven children were selected from an elementary school in Seoul. We measured children's height, weight, waist to hip ratio, and the obesity rate (%). The risk factors associated with childhood obesity were assessed by a self-written questionnaire answered by their parents. In moderate and severe obese children, we checked their blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, ALT, AST, uric acid, total cholesterol, and triglycerides.
RESULTS
The prevalence of childhood obesity was 14.0%. We found that the factors associated with childhood obesity were the number of siblings, class, parent's obesity, and the preference for fish and meat (P=0.030, 0.022, <0.001, 0.003, respectively). In moderate and severe obese children, the prevalence of obesity related diseases was 77.6% and 92.3%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The childhood obesity was strongly associated with parent's obesity and the preference for fish and meat. The prevalence of obesity related diseases was very high in moderate and severe obese children.

Keyword

childhood; obesity; prevalence; obesity related disease

MeSH Terms

Blood Glucose
Blood Pressure
Child
Cholesterol
Fasting
Humans
Meat
Obesity*
Parents
Pediatric Obesity*
Prevalence*
Risk Factors*
Seoul
Siblings
Triglycerides
Uric Acid
Waist-Hip Ratio
Surveys and Questionnaires
Blood Glucose
Cholesterol
Triglycerides
Uric Acid