Waist Circumference Improves Obesity Models but Social Disadvantage Remains Significant: Results among 10,766 Children of the Childhood Growth Surveillance Initiative (COSI) in the Republic of Ireland

Kelleher, Cecily

Waist Circumference Improves Obesity Models but Social Disadvantage Remains Significant: Results among 10,766 Children of the Childhood Growth Surveillance Initiative (COSI) in the Republic of Ireland

Wednesday, 20 August 2014

Exhibit hall (Dena'ina Center)

Mirjam M Heinen, PhD , University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland

Nazih Eldin, MD , Health Service Executive, Navan, Ireland

Ursula O'Dwyer , Department of Health, Dublin 2, Ireland

Catherine Hayes, PhD , Trinity College for Health Sciences, Dublin 24, Ireland

Patricia Heavey, PhD , Athlone Institute of Technology, Athlone, Ireland

Adrienne Lynam , Health Service Executive, Galway, Ireland

John O'Brien, PhD , University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland

Leslie E Daly, PhD , University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland

Celine Murrin, PhD , University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland

Cecily C Kelleher, MD , University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland

INTRODUCTION: The WHO Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative was established in 2008 to measure systematically childhood obesity in the European region. In the present study, data of 10,766 (5172 boys, 5594 girls) 5-12 year old Irish children were included who were measured in three sweeps: 2008, 2010 and 2012, respectively. The core objective was to measure weight, height and waist circumference in primary school children.

METHODS: Body mass index (BMI) was standardised by age and sex. Overweight and obesity were classified using the International Obesity Taskforce cut-off points. Logistic regression was used to identify factors related to childhood obesity. BMI was the outcome variable and this was dichotomised to normal versus overweight and obese combined and to not obese versus obese. The STATA survey commands were used to adjust for sampling design.

RESULTS: Overweight and obesity combined were less likely in children that were older (per year: OR 0.32, 95%CI 0.29-0.37) and participating in the second and third sweep versus the first sweep (second sweep: OR 0.69, 95%CI 0.48-0.99; third sweep: OR 0.69, 95%CI 0.49-0.97). Overweight and obesity combined were more likely in girls (OR 1.75, 95%CI 1.40-2.15) and those who had a larger waist circumference (OR 1.62, 95%CI 1.57-1.68). Obesity versus no obesity was also less likely in older children and more likely in girls, those who attended disadvantaged schools (OR 1.91, 95%CI 1.36-2.67) and had a larger waist circumference.

CONCLUSIONS: There are definite socio-demographic patterns to overweight and obesity in Ireland and inclusion of waist circumference refines the models considerably.