First reference curves of waist circumference for German children in comparison to international values: the PEP Family Heart Study

Abstract

These first WC reference curves of German children can be added to the existing international curves for children; comparison of different populations demonstrated that the German values are in the middle range of the curves obtained in different countries. Our findings about significant differences between the reference curves obtained in various regions emphasize the necessity of developing population-specific percentiles, and to use them in clinical and epidemiological studies among children.

Anthropometric indices among schoolchildren from a municipality in Southern Brazil: a descriptive analysis using the LMS method

“…The comparison of anthropometric indicators of general and abdominal obesity is useful and feasible to identify growth patterns among children from different regions/countries. 18 Three practical implications can be highlighted with the present study: (1) it allows a better estimate of growth pattern because the LMS method was used, (2) it may show child populations with physical growth trends that are favorable to nutritional disorders (i.e., a child population with elevated anthropometric indices in comparison to others), and (3) it tests the need of anthropometric indices percentile curves for Brazilian children.…”

“…3 Often, studies used Wc reference curves that were not based on data from their specific children (i.e., studies with Brazilian children used Wc reference values from non-Brazilian children). 3,28 Because the difference between percentile values, the use of reference curves from other countries (mainly germany 18 and Mexico 11 ) can underestimate the real proportion of abdominal obesity in children from colombo (Brazil). Therefore, building Wc reference curve with a representative sample of Brazilian children is relevant for monitoring the physical growth among childhood in this country.…”

“…[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] These curves apply the LMS method, a statistical procedure for more robust estimation of percentiles values, especially if the physical growth variables do not have a symmetrical distribution in the population. 21,22 Some studies also used the LMS method to compare body mass and height percentiles from Brazilian children with those of other countries.…”

“…Also, it is necessary to test whether there is anthropometric difference between children from Brazil and from these countries in order to identify growth pattern distinctions and test the necessity of the anthropometric percentile curves for Brazilian children. 18 Finally, this comparison may identify if a childhood population has physical growth trends (for environmental and genetic conditions) that favor nutritional disorders such as general and abdominal obesity. 2 These issues are important for the development of public policies aimed at reducing nutritional disorders in Brazilian children.…”

“…BMI percentile values were compared with data from WHO, 15 US center for Disease control and Prevention, 16 Pakistan, 20 India 13 and germany. 17 Wc percentile values were compared with data from germany, 18 Pakistan, 14 Mexico, 11 Hong Kong 19 and India. 12 Finally, WHtR percentile values were compared with those from India, 12 Hong Kong, 19 Pakistan 14 and norway.…”