Abstract
Studies in the U.S. show that within the lower socioeconomic stratum black children are leaner than white children of same sex and age, but black women show a higher prevalence of obesity Chan their white counterparts. Thusly a retrospective study was undertaken to determine the age at which a significant change in the prevalence of obesity does occur in black girls. Charts of 580 girls, who used the Children and Youth Clinic during a three month period in 1976, were reviewed with respect to age, height, weight, medical diagnoses. After exclusion of charts because of insufficient data or, because the individual's disease might affect weight or height, 527 (91%) charts were available for study.
Individuals from 1 through 19 years were divided into age groups of two year intervals. Weight for height was calculated for each individual using NCHS 1976 growth charts. The individuals of an age group were then grouped according to the percent excess weight for height into groups: a) less than 110%. b) 110-120% (overweight) and c) more than 120% (obesity).
While the incidence of overweight did not significantly differ between age groups (p>0.05), the incidence of obesity increased significantly (p<0.001) between the group 11.1-13.0 and 13.1-15.0 years of age and persisted thereafter at the higher level. The etiology of this striking finding requires further study.
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Jacobson, M., Habersang, R., Jerome, N. et al. AGE RELATED CHANGES OF THE PREVALENCE OF OBESITY IN USERS OF THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CLINIC. Pediatr Res 11, 437 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00403
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00403