Prevalence of overweight in a triethnic pediatric population of San Antonio, Texas

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of overweight among different eth nic and gender groups of children and adolescents in the San Antonio, Texas , area and to compare the prevalence with that of the US national figures. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: A total of 7208 schoolchildren in kindergarten through 12th grade . There were 4215 Mexican American (MA) (58.5%), 2040 non-Hispanic white (N HW) (28.3%) and 953 African American (AA) (13.2%) subjects. MEASUREMENTS: Weight, height and skinfold thicknesses. RESULTS: The body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)) values of MA boys were almost c onsistently and significantly (P < 0.05) larger than NHW boys and showed a tendency to be larger than AA boys, beginning as early as age 6 and continu ing through age 17. Although rarely significant, a similar trend in ethnic difference was also noted for girls, with the smallest BMI seen in NHW girl s. The subscapular skinfold thickness (SST) for MA boys and girls was signi ficantly (P < 0.05) larger than that for NHW counterparts and showed a tend ency to be larger than AA counterparts. No significant ethnic differences w ere present in the triceps skinfold thickness (TST) for girls, but MA boys' TST were occasionally larger (P < 0.05) than other ethnic-gender groups. G irls' TST were frequently larger (P < 0.05) than boys for each ethnic group s. Using the population data from the National Health and Nutrition Examina tion Survey (NHANES) I as reference, the prevalence of overweight (BMI grea ter than or equal to 95th percentile) was greater in MA (15 - 28%) and AA ( 11 - 29%) boys and girls than in NHW (7 - 17%) counterparts. The combined p revalence of overweight and 'at risk of overweight' (BMI > 85th percentile) was much larger in MA boys (40 - 50%), MA girls (34 - 52%), and AA girls ( 33 - 51%) than other subgroups. The onset of overweight is quite early, sta rting at 5-6 y of age, especially in girls. Compared to the data from natio nal surveys, the prevalence of overweight found in this study is higher tha n reported nationally. We found a marked increase in the skinfold thickness , especially SST for boys, but the increase is less for girls. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of overweight is higher in MA boys and girls an d AA girls than other ethnic-gender groups in the San Antonio, Texas, area. The prevalence of childhood overweight in the San Antonio area is higher t han national figures. The findings of increasing prevalence and early onset of childhood overweight are concerning, because these are known risk facto rs for diabetes and diseases of many other organ systems. Measures to preve nt, reduce or treat childhood obesity are urgently needed.