Increasing risks of becoming obese after 6 years in primary school: comparing the relative risks among some schools in Bangkok, Saraburi and Sakolnakorn

J Med Assoc Thai. 2005 Jun;88(6):829-32.

Abstract

The authors carried out a retrospectively study of bodyweights of primary-school children from Grade I to Grade VI in 4 schools from Bangkok, one school from Saraburi and data of school children from a district in Sakolnakorn with a six year follow-up period. In the cohort there were 437 children from Bangkok, 225 children from Saraburi and 633 children from Sakolnakorn. Initial data show that prevalence of obesity at grade I in schools from Bangkok, Saraburi and Sakolnakorn were 16%, 23% and 4%, respectively. However, when these children were in grade VI, the prevalence of obesity increased to 31%, 30% and 9%, respectively. Relative risks of becoming obese at grade VI in children who were overweight and obese at grade I are 3 and 5 fold in Bangkok, 2 and 3 fold in Saraburi, 6 and 12 fold in Sakolnakorn, respectively. The present study shows that prevalence of obesity increased at quite dramatic rates during the primary school period in these study groups.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Body Mass Index*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Obesity / epidemiology*
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk
  • Risk Assessment*
  • Risk Factors
  • Schools / statistics & numerical data*
  • Students / statistics & numerical data*
  • Thailand / epidemiology
  • Time Factors