Increasing obesity rates in school children in United Arab Emirates.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The remarkable socioeconomic changes in United Arab Emirates (UAE) necessitate regular monitoring of obesity in our population. This study explored the epidemiology of obesity in a large cohort of UAE students.

Methods

This population-based study investigated the prevalence of obesity in 44,942 students attending governmental schools in Ras Al-Khaimah. Body-mass-index (BMI) was calculated in 15,532 children (4-12 y) in 2013-2014, and in 29,410 children (3-18 y) in 2014-2015. The International Obesity Task Force, World Health Organization, and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reference methods were used to identify overweight, obesity, and extremely-obesity.

Results

Using CDC interpretation of BMI, from 11 to 14 y, the prevalence of BMI ≥85th percentile was

SUBMITTER: AlBlooshi A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5074293 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature