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ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Swiss children and to obtain information on weight perceptions and weight control practices in this population.DesignCross-sectional, three-stage, probability-proportionate-to-size cluster sampling.SettingMiddle schools throughout Switzerland.SubjectsA representative national sample of 595 6-12 y-old schoolchildren.InterventionMeasurement of weight and height; interview on weight perceptions and weight control practices.ResultsBody mass index (BMI) was calculated and used as an indicator of overweight. The BMIs of the Swiss children were compared with US, UK, French and Swiss reference data. Depending on which reference data were used, the prevalence of obesity varied between 9.7 and 16.1% and the prevalence of overweight varied between 21.7 and 34.2%. Girls were significantly more likely to consider themselves too fat (26% and 15%, respectively) and to report currently trying to lose weight (30% and 18%, respectively) compared to boys (P<0.05).ConclusionsThe prevalence of overweight in Swiss children, and its attendant health and social consequences, are important public health concerns.SponsorshipThe Swiss Foundation for Nutrition Research, Zürich, Switzerland.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601058

Type

Journal article

Journal

European journal of clinical nutrition

Publication Date

07/2000

Volume

54

Pages

568 - 572

Addresses

The Human Nutrition Laboratory, Institute for Food Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich, Switzerland. michael.zimmermann@ilw.agrl.ethz.ch

Keywords

Humans, Obesity, Body Mass Index, Prevalence, Risk Factors, Cross-Sectional Studies, Body Image, Public Health, Sex Factors, Child, Switzerland, Female, Male