Anthropometric measurements in a population of Maltese school children aged 6 and 10 years

Abstract

The aim of this study is to establish the distribution of weight, height and body mass index in a population of healthy Maltese school children at the ages of 6 and 10 years (i.e. 72 and 120 months respectively). This data will be compared to standard anthropometric references and the prevalence of overweight and obesity for these age groups will thus be determined. The results will also be compared with relevant studies carried out locally in previous years. Data collection for this cross-sectional study was conducted during the period January 1999 to December 1999 in a number of Maltese primary schools. Standardised weights and heights were obtained and recorded for 388 children at age 72 months (190 males and 198 females) and for 577 children at age 120 months (286 males and 291 females) within +/- 4 weeks of their birthday. Body mass index values were derived from this data. A number of statistical analyses, including medians, means, percentile values and distributions of values were carried out. The statistical significance of sex differences was investigated using unpaired t-tests. At the age of 72 months the differences in weight, height and body mass index between the sexes were not statistically significant. At the older age group, girls were significantly heavier than males and had a significantly higher body mass index. Although girls had a higher mean for height, the difference was not statistically significant. Children in this study were found to be heavier and have a higher body mass index than the child populations represented by the standard references, the difference being greatest in the older age group. At the age of 72 months, these children are shorter than the standard references while at the age of 120, the height compares very well with these references. This study showed that 15.3% boys and 18.7% girls at the age of 6 years and 19.9% boys and 24.1 % girls at the age of 10 years in this population are obese. These percentages compare well with previous studies carried out on Maltese children. Conclusion: The study concludes that the problem of obesity in Maltese children is of great and continuing concern. Recommendations are given together with suggestions for future research. MSc Public Health August 2000 KEY WORDS: Body mass index, height, weight, obesity and overweight. Supervisor: Ms. M. Bllul, BPharm (Hons), MSc (Aber), FRSH, RPH Nut.