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Comparative Study
. 2004 Jun;94(6):1002-8.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.94.6.1002.

Measuring the prevalence of overweight in Texas schoolchildren

Deanna M Hoelscher  1 , R Sue Day, Eun Sul Lee, Ralph F Frankowski, Steven H Kelder, Jerri L Ward, Michael E Scheurer
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Measuring the prevalence of overweight in Texas schoolchildren

Deanna M Hoelscher et al. Am J Public Health. 2004 Jun.

Abstract

Objectives: We describe results from year 1 of a surveillance system to monitor body mass index in children at the state level.

Methods: A sample of 6630 children attending Texas public schools, weighted to represent 4th, 8th, and 11th grades within race/ethnic subpopulations, was assessed. Body mass index was calculated from measured height and weight; demographic information was obtained from a questionnaire.

Results: Prevalence of overweight was 22.4%, 19.2%, and 15.5% for 4th-, 8th-, and 11th-grade students, respectively. Overweight prevalence was highest among Hispanic boys (29.5%-32.6%), fourth-grade Hispanic girls (26.7%), and fourth- and eighth-grade African American girls (30.8% and 23.1%, respectively). Eleventh-grade White/other girls had the lowest prevalence of overweight (5.5%).

Conclusions: These data confirm the increasing prevalence of overweight among US children, especially among Hispanic and African American students compared to White/other students and fourth-grade students relative to 8th- and 11th-grade students.

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Figures

FIGURE 1—
FIGURE 1—
Prevalence of at-risk and overweight among (a) 4th-, (b) 8th-, and (c) 11th-grade students in Texas, by ethnicity/race.
FIGURE 1—
FIGURE 1—
Prevalence of at-risk and overweight among (a) 4th-, (b) 8th-, and (c) 11th-grade students in Texas, by ethnicity/race.
FIGURE 1—
FIGURE 1—
Prevalence of at-risk and overweight among (a) 4th-, (b) 8th-, and (c) 11th-grade students in Texas, by ethnicity/race.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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