Abstract

ARRIBA MUNOZ, Antonio de et al. Normal values for body mass index and waist circumference in Spanish population from birth to 28 years old. Nutr. Hosp. [online]. 2016, vol.33, n.4, pp.887-893. ISSN 1699-5198.  https://dx.doi.org/10.20960/nh.388.

Background: The biggest challenge of the 21st century is how to diagnose and treat obesity, due to its increasing prevalence. Objectives: To establish age and sex percentiles of waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) for age and sex in Spanish population. Methods: An observational longitudinal study carried out between 1980 and 2014. 165 newborn boys and 169 newborn girls were included, collecting data annually until 18 years old (74 men and 92 women), and later at 28 years old (42 men and 45 women). Length/ height, weight and waist circumference were measured. 3^rd, 5^th, 10^th, 25^th, 50^th, 75^th, 85^th, 90^th, 95^th and 97^th, BMI and WC percentiles were calculated according to age and sex. Results: Evolutionary BMI and WC data are presented during childhood, emphasizing how values increase between 18 and 28 years old in the upper percentiles to p50, especially in women. There is a positive correlation with regards to WC between the value obtained at 3 years old and the value of 18 and 28 years old in both men (r = 0.722 and r = 0.605, p = 0.000, respectively) and women (r = 0.922, r = 0.857, p = 0.000, respectively). And between 18 and 28 years old (r = 0.731, p = 0.000 for men and r = 0.961, p = 0.000 for women). Conclusion: WC and BMI percentiles are presented for age and sex and they can be used as a reference tool to identify people at risk of developing cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

Keywords : Waist circumference; Obesity; Percentiles; Intra-abdominal adiposity.

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