UNSPECIFIED (2005) Overweight and obesity in Irish primary schools: retrospective cohort study. CHILD CARE HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, 31 (5). pp. 499-506. ISSN 0305-1862

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Abstract

Background This retrospective cohort study investigates the feasibility of using established methods and routinely generated data from the statutory primary school health-screening programme to estimate prevalence rates for childhood overweight and obesity in children from a rural area in the Republic of Ireland (ROI). Method Paper-based records in the primary school health service for County Leitrim and parts of County Cavan in north-west of ROI were hand searched to identify children attending senior infant classes during academic year 2001/2002. Electronic calculation of body mass index (BMI) and age at examination was carried out. Application of age- and sex-specific cut-off points from international Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and United Kingdom (UK) standard definitions for childhood overweight and obesity was used to determine age- and sex-specific prevalence rates for childhood overweight and obesity. Results The eligible cohort was almost completely identified and consisted of 361 children. Weight and height measurements were available on 328 (91%) children aged between 4.22 and 7.92 years. IOTF standard application gave prevalence rates of 25% for obesity and overweight in boys and 26% in girls. With the UK growth standard, this increased to 34% in boys and reduced to 23% in girls. Conclusion It is feasible to generate prevalence rates for childhood overweight and obesity from data routinely obtained through the statutory school health-screening programme in ROI. This study suggests levels of childhood overweight and obesity comparable to other Western societies. Further research on developing a universally accepted standard definition of childhood overweight and obesity is required.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics
Journal or Publication Title:	CHILD CARE HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Publisher:	BLACKWELL PUBLISHING
ISSN:	0305-1862
Date:	September 2005
Volume:	31
Number:	5
Number of Pages:	8
Page Range:	pp. 499-506
Publication Status:	Published
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/6626

Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge

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