A Retrospective Study on the Prevalence of Obesity in Elementary School Children

후향적 연구방법에 의한 초등학교 아동의 비만이행 추이에 대한 고찰

This study was accomplished to investigate the prevalence of obesity among the 229 elementary school children(boys; 115 persons, girls; 114 persons) during 4 years by retrospective study. The results were as follows; 1. The mean height and weight of 229 subjects were 143.2cm(boys;143.4cm, girls; 142.7cm), 38.8kg(boys;40.4kg, girls;36.9kg), respectively. And other anthropometric body index such as the mean BMI, Rohrer Index, WLI and Obesity Index of subjects were 18.8(boys;19.5, girls; 18.0), 1.31(boys;1.36, girls; 1.26), 115.5(boys;121.4, girls; 108.9) and 110.6(boys;114.5, girls; 106.7), respectively. 2. The mean percentile values of height and weight of subjects were higher than the '85 Korean Children's Growth Standard, respectively. In the case of boys, the 75th percentile value of weights was larger than that's 97th's. And in the case of girls, the 75th percentile value of weights was equalled to the that's 90th's. 3. When the subjects were classified into 4 groups such as obese, overweight, normal, and lean groups according to Obesity Index, their percentages were 28.8%(boys; 38.3%, girls; 19.3%), ll.8%(boys; 9.6%, girls; 14.0%), 50.7%(boys; 47.0%, girls; 54.4%) and 8.7%(boys; 5.2%, girls; 12.3%), respectively. And only I person(3.3%) is classified into normal group and 2 persons(6.7%) are classified into overweight group when they become 5 grade among 30 persons(13.1%) who were classified into obese group when they were I grade. 4. Changes in percentage of subjects differentiated by 3 indices during 4 years(from I grade to 5 grade) were as follows; In the case of BMI were 5.2%, 5.2%, 11.8%, 21.0%, 27.5%. In the case of Roher index were 13.1%, 11.8%, 14.4%, 14.8%, 17.8%. And in the case of WLI were 15.7%, 21.6%, 29.5%, 32.2%, 36.7%. 5. There was no significant difference among 4 groups on the skip rate of breakfast(obese;48.5%, overweight;55. mean meal time of subjects took about 10 minutes which was short, and the eating rate of obese group was significantly shorter than that of other groups(p<0.05). There was a tendency that the rate of the obese or overweight group eating together in breakfast and dinner was lower than that of normal or lean group. The mean T.V. watching time and the rate of eating out of subjects were 1-2 hours/day and 1 or 2 times/week. In conclusion, the subjects have been grown remarkably compared to the '85 Korean Children's Growth Standard, especially boy's weight. In order to the elementary school children to be grew as healthful citizen they should recognize the importance of meals of everyday, the balanced meals, and desirable eating habits. In addition to these, we should educate the ways of meal-life to them. We also are in need to develope the methods of education for the students themselves and their parents so that could prevent the increase rate of obesity.