The epidemiology of overweight and obesity among Australian children and adolescents, 1995-1997

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the population prevalence of overweight and obesity among Australian children and adolescents, based on measured body mass index (BMI). To determine if overweight and obesity are disturbed differentially 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 methods. BMI (kg/m2) was used as the index of adiposity and recently published international BMI cut-off values used to categorise each subject as non-overweight, overweight or obese. Results: The population prevalence and distribution of overweight, obesity and overweight/obesity..