The epidemiology of overweight and obesity among Australian children and adolescents, 1995-97

Objectives: To determine the population prevalence of overweight and obesit y among Australian children and adolescents, based on measured body mass in dex (BMI). To determine if overweight and obesity are distributed different ially across the population of young Australians. Methods: Data from three independent surveys were analysed. In each, height and weight were measured by trained surveyors using valid, comparable meth ods. BMI (kg/m(2)) was used as the index of adiposity and recently publishe d international BMI cutoff values used to categorise each subject as non-ov erweight, overweight or obese. Results: The population prevalence and distribution of overweight, obesity and overweight/obesity combined were generally consistent across datasets. The ranges of the prevalence of non-overweight, overweight, obesity and ove rweight/obesity combined were 79-81%, 14-16%, 5% and 19-21% (boys) respecti vely and 76-79%, 16-18%, 5-6% and 21-24% (girls). There were no consistent relationships between the prevalence of overweight/obesity and sex, age or SES. Their prevalence was up to 4% higher in urban than rural areas among b oys, but there were no differences between urban and rural girls. The data suggest a higher prevalence of overweight/ obesity among students from Euro pean or Middle-Eastern cultural backgrounds. Conclusions: Some 19-23% of Australian children and adolescents are either overweight or obese. Although urban/rural, SES and cultural background diff erentials were noted, only the last warrants a targeted health promotion re sponse. Implications: Overweight/obesity is a prevalent health risk factor among Au stralian children and adolescents. More information is needed to understand whether targeted approaches are required for specific ethnic groups in add ition to broad, population-based approaches.