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Comparative Study
. 2010 Sep;126(3):434-42.
doi: 10.1542/peds.2009-3411. Epub 2010 Aug 16.

Disparities in peaks, plateaus, and declines in prevalence of high BMI among adolescents

Kristine A Madsen  1 , Ashley E Weedn, Patricia B Crawford
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Disparities in peaks, plateaus, and declines in prevalence of high BMI among adolescents

Kristine A Madsen et al. Pediatrics. 2010 Sep.

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate trends in prevalence of high BMI from 2001 to 2008 and examine racial/ethnic disparities.

Methods: Records for a total of 8 283 718 fifth-, seventh-, and ninth-grade students who underwent California's school-based BMI screening between 2001 and 2008 were included. Logistic regression identified trends in prevalence of high BMI (>or=85th, >or=95th, >or=97th, and >or=99th percentiles).

Results: For 3 of 4 BMI cut points, prevalence continued to increase for black and American Indian girls through 2008, Hispanic girls plateaued after 2005, non-Hispanic white girls declined to 2001 prevalence levels after peaking in 2005, and Asian girls showed no increases. Non-Hispanic white boys peaked in 2005, then declined to 2001 prevalence levels for all BMI cut points; Hispanic and Asian boys declined after 2005 (for 3 lowest BMI cut points only) but remained above 2001 levels; and American Indian boys peaked later (2007) and declined only for BMI>or=95th. No girls and few boys showed a decline after peaking in prevalence of BMI>or=99th percentile. In 2008, disparities in prevalence were greatest for BMI>or=99th percentile, with prevalence of 4.9% for American Indian girls and 4.6% for black girls versus 1.3% for non-Hispanic white girls.

Conclusions: On the basis of statewide California data, prevalence of high BMI is declining for some groups but has not declined for American Indian and black girls. These trends portend greater disparities over time, particularly in severe obesity. Interventions and policies that are tailored to the highest risk groups should be pursued.

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Conflict of interest statement

No conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Body Mass Index for Age ≥ 99th Percentile by Race/Ethnicity in 2001–2008 Error bars indicate 95% confidence intervals and are only visualized for American Indians; all other ethnicities had negligible SE. Students were in 5th, 7th or 9th grade.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Body Mass Index for Age ≥ 95th Percentile by Race/Ethnicity in 2001–2008 Error bars indicate 95% confidence intervals and are only visualized for American Indians; all other ethnicities had negligible SE. Students were in 5th, 7th or 9th grade.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Change in distribution of body mass index by race; 2001, 2005, and 2008
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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