Development and Tracking of Body Mass Index from Preschool Age into Adolescence in Rural South African Children: Ellisras Longitudinal Growth and Health Study

Abstract

The purpose of this observational prospective cohort study was to investigate the development and tracking of body mass index (BMI) of Ellisras rural children from preschool age into late adolescence from the Ellisras Longitudinal Growth and Health Study. Heights and weights of children were measured according to the standard procedures recommended by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry twice a year from 1996 to 2003. In total, 2,225 children-550 preschool and 1,675 primary school-aged 3-10 years (birth cohorts 1993 to 1986) were enrolled at baseline in 1996 and followed through out the eight-year periodic surveys. In 2003, 1,771 children-489 preschool and 1,282 primary school-were still in the study. The prevalence of overweight was significantly higher among girls (range 1.6-15.5%) compared to boys (range 0.3-4.9%) from age 9.1 years to 14.9 years. The prevalence of thinness (severe, moderate, and mild) ranged from 7.1% to 53.7% for preschool children and from 8.0% to 47.6% for primary school children. Both preschool and primary school children showed a significant association between the first measurements of BMI and the subsequent measurement which ranged from B=0.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.1-0.4) to B=0.8 (95% CI 0.6-0.9) for preschool and B=0.2 (95% CI 0.1-0.3) to B=0.7 (95% CI 0.6-0.8) for primary children. A significant tracking of BMI during 4-12 years of life was more consistent for preschool children (B=0.6 (95% CI 0.6-0.7) and for primary school children (B=0.6 (95%CI 0.5-0.6). Investigation of nutritional intake and physical activity patterns will shed light on how healthy these children are and their lifestyle.

Childhood overweight and obesity among Kenyan pre-school children: association with maternal and early child nutritional factors

“…Overweight and obese children have been shown to have higher risk of becoming overweight/obese adults and to have higher risks of co-morbidities such as high blood pressure, non-insulin-dependent diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, orthopaedic problems and psychological problems, among other negative health effects (1) . Countries that have reported on the rates of overweight and obesity among children in Africa have looked at populations within the South African region and North and West African countries (2)(3)(4)(5)(6) . Information on the presence of overweight/obesity among children in the East African region is relatively lacking.…”

The relationship between strength measurements and anthropometric indicators (BMI and skinfold thickness) in Ellisras rural adolescents aged 9–15 years: Ellisras longitudinal study

“…Monyeki et al [13,14] described an inverse relationship of bent arm hang with weight for age z-score, sum of four skinfolds, and fat free mass while the prevalence of undernutrition was high amongst Ellisras rural children. The association of bMI with skinfold thickness, handgrip, and arm hang strength has received little attention in rural South Africans.…”

The relationship between BMI and dietary intake of primary school children from a rural area of South Africa: The Ellisras longitudinal study

“…The remaining workforce is involved in subsistence farming and cattle rearing, while the minority works in the education or civil service. Unemployment, poverty and low life expectancy seem to play a significant role in this rural area (Monyeki et al, 2008).…”

“…In brief, the study was undertaken at 22 schools (10 preschool and 12 primary schools) randomly selected from 68 schools within the Ellisras area (Monyeki et al, 2008). For the purpose of this analysis, data collected in 1999 was studied, comprising of 825 children (421 boys, 404 girls) aged from 6 to 12 years.…”

“…Compared with a Western diet, this diet is associated with lower prevalence of childhood obesity and chronic degenerative diseases (Bourne et al, 2002). Monyeki et al (1999Monyeki et al ( , 2008 reported low prevalence of obesity and overweight in the rural South African children with high prevalence of thinness over time. The determinants of this malnutrition condition in rural South African children received little attention.…”