Availability of data assessing the prevalence and trends of overweight and obesity among European adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To review recent data on objectively measured overweight/obesity in national representative samples of European adolescents (aged 10-18 years), as well as availability of studies assessing trends in overweight/obesity in this target group. Attention was paid to the ability of the data to describe the obesity epidemic, especially in sociodemographic subgroups. Design/setting/subjects: Data on prevalence and trends in overweight/obesity among adolescents in the twenty-seven European Community member states, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, available as scientific publications as well as reports or unpublished data by the end of 2009, were retrieved. Reports on the most recent objectively measured data from national representative samples were selected and described with regard to the years of data collection, sample sizes, response rates, age ranges included, trends by age, type of measures of overweight/obesity, sociodemographic variables and the sources of information. Results: Objectively measured data on national representative samples were identified for only half of the countries, and the trend studies were mainly conducted applying subnational samples. Most studies used the criteria from the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) to define overweight/obesity, but the age ranges studied and the years of data collection varied, and information on sample sizes and response rates were often not presented. Data on trends of overweight/obesity over time are increasing, and the most recent studies indicate that the prevalence rate of overweight/obesity has stabilized. Few studies reported data by sociodemographic subgroups other than gender and age. Conclusions: Objectively measured data on national representative samples of adolescents appear scattered, and there is a large heterogeneity with respect to the quality and comparability of available data. Increasing use of the IOTF criteria for overweight/obesity contributes to improved comparability across studies. Data by sociodemographic subgroups, and in particular by socio-economic status, are scarce.Several scientific reports have shown that the obesity epidemic has reached children and adolescents in Europe. The reports suggest that there are clear geographic differences within the continent, with southern Europe and the British Isles reporting the highest prevalence rates of overweight/obesity among children and adolescents (1)(2)(3)(4) . In 2007, WHO Europe published a report on the challenge of obesity in Europe (1) . It was concluded that objectively measured and valid data on BMI were lacking for about half of the European countries. Furthermore, making comparisons between countries was difficult due to great variation in response rates, age ranges included, years of data collection and definition of overweight and obesity (1) . Considering the importance given to childhood obesity in the current public health discourse, as well as the urgent need to have high-quality

Body composition in 13-year-old adolescents with abdominal obesity, depending on the BMI value

“…9 The results obtained in this study of anthropometric measurements of Polish 13-year-old boys and girls have confirmed the epidemiologic reports, which show increasing incidence of overweight and obesity among adolescents in Europe, including Poland. 10,11 In our studies on a population accounting to 1,738 individuals, the percentage of overweight adolescents equaled to 12.5%, and obese adolescents -11.2%. A higher percentage of Polish adolescents (13-15 years of age) with overweight (13.8%) and obesity (2.8%) was reported by Jodkowska et al 11 In our study, overweight and obesity occurred more frequently in girls (16.8% and 12.9%) than in boys (8.4% and 9.6%).…”

Ten-Year obesity and overweight prevalence in Greek children: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 2001-2010 data

“…5,12 The final scoring system ( for each element of the scoring system, as proposed in other meta-analyses. Studies were classified into three quality groups and labeled A if they managed to obtain 8-12 points, B when 4-7 points were collected and C when they scored less than 4 points.…”

“…4 With regard to Europe, according to recent data there is wide geographical variation across European countries of obesity and overweight rates among children and adolescents. 5 The over-time trend of the phenomenon is uneven, following an augmentative trend in some countries, while in others there is evidence that the rates have leveled off. 5,6 One of the first arrows in the quiver of health care providers and policy formations is appropriate research assessing the epidemiologic transitions of childhood overweight and obesity at both a national and an international level.…”

“…5 The over-time trend of the phenomenon is uneven, following an augmentative trend in some countries, while in others there is evidence that the rates have leveled off. 5,6 One of the first arrows in the quiver of health care providers and policy formations is appropriate research assessing the epidemiologic transitions of childhood overweight and obesity at both a national and an international level. The accurate assessment and classification of the obesity phenomenon will enable recognition and understanding of the epidemiology, this leading to high quality data describing the problem and determining the burden of disease.…”

Birth weight and obesity risk at first grade of high school in a non-concurrent cohort of Chilean children

“…Changes in physical activity as well as eating practices are occurring in developed and developing countries affecting children and adolescents. In industrialized and developing countries, obesity has increased at a fast rate especially since the 1980s in all age groups (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7) .…”