Study on the Distribution of Body Mass Index among Children and Adolescents Aged 7～18 Years in Hangzhou

Objective To study the body mass index(BMI) distribution and the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Hangzhou.Methods Based on the BMI reference criteria for screening overweight and obesity in Chinese children and adolescents which was set up by the Working Group On Obesity in Chinese(WGOC),totally 21536 children and adolescents aged 7～18 yeas were sampled,which from 17 primary schools and 12 high schools.Results The P85 and P95 of BMI in male students were higher than WGOC criteria for overweight and obesity.The P85 of BMI in female students aged 7～10 years was higher than WGOC criteria for overweight,while those in older aged groups were lower than the WGOC criteria;the P95 of BMI in all age groups were lower than WGOC criteria for obesity.The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were 23.5% and 10.0% respectively for boys and 14.0% and 4.9% respectively for girls.Conclusions The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Hangzhou are high,especially in boys.The emphasis of school health work should be put on prevention and control of them,such as carrying out health education,leading students and their parents to set up right life style and healthy concept.