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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Dambadarjaa Davaalkham, Toshiyuki Ojima, Ritei Uehara, Makoto Watanabe, Izumi Oki, and Yosikazu Nakamura. Department of Public Health, Jichi Medical University, Yakushiji 3311-1, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan, +81-285-58-7338, davaamon@jichi.ac.jp

Background: Child growth is internationally recognized as an important public health indicator for monitoring nutritional status and health in populations. However, the patterns of obesity and underweight among children are unknown in Mongolia. Objective: To provide baseline information on the overweight, obesity and underweight among Mongolian elementary school children using representative random sample. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted between October and November, 2004. Study subjects were selected from all public elementary schools in Mongolia. Based on their body mass index (BMI) and age, each child was then categorized as obese (>95th percentile), at risk for overweight (85th-95th percentile) or underweight (<5th percentile) using the CDC BMI growth charts (2000). Results: The study population consisted of 1,182 elementary school children (response rate-93%), 610 boys and 572 girls, aged 7 to 12 years. The prevalence of obesity and overweight was 1.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.0-2.5%) and 10.7% (95% CI; 9.0-12.5%), respectively. Boys had a higher prevalence of excess weight (obesity and overweight) than girls (p=0.013). The prevalence of underweight among the study population was 3.6% (95% CI; 2.5-4.7%) and increased with age. Multivariate logistic regression model of age, sex, residence and ethnicity, indicated male sex (Odds ratio [OR]=1.76; 95% CI:1.21-2.56), rural residence (OR=2.12; 95% CI: 1.44-3.12), and minority ethnicity (OR=3.79; 95%CI: 2.41-5.95) were predictors of excess weight. Age (p=0.023) was the only predicting variable of underweight among the children. Conclusion: Our findings showed that rural residence and minority ethnicity were risk factors for obesity and overweight among Mongolian children.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to
• Identify the prevalence of overweight, obesity and underweight in Mongolian school children
• Identify predictive factors for childhood obesity and overweight
• Identify predictive factors for childhood underweight

Keywords: Obesity, Children and Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation