Trends in the prevalence of overweight and abdominal obesity among Chinese children aged 7～18 years from 1993 to 2009

【Objective】 To examine the trends in body mass index(BMI),waist circumference(WC) and the prevalence of overweight(including obesity) and abdominal obesity among Chinese children aged 7~18 years from 1993-2009.【Methods】 Based on the data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey(CHNS) conducted from 1993 to 2009,a total of 11 592 Chinese children aged 7~18 years were included in the data analysis.The information includes gender,age,region,height,weight and waist circumference.【Results】 During the period of 1993-2009,mean BMI increased by 0.6 kg/m2(P for trend0.001);mean WC increased by 1 cm(P for trend0.001);the prevalence of overweight increased from 8.1% to 18.0%(P for trend0.001);the prevalence of abdominal obesity increased from 15.3% to 28.9%(P for trend0.001).The similar trends were found in nearly each group by gender,age and region(P for trend0.001).【Conclusion】 The BMI,WC and the prevalence of overweight and abdominal obesity among Chinese children has increased greatly during the past 17 years,and abdominal obesity increased more greatly than overweight defined by BMI.