Population-based waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio reference values in preschool children

  1. Josefine Roswall1,2,
  2. Stefan Bergman3,
  3. Gerd Almqvist-Tangen2,4,
  4. Bernt Alm2,
  5. Aimon Niklasson2,
  6. Andreas FM Nierop5,
  7. Jovanna Dahlgren2

Article first published online: 14 JUL 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2009.01430.x

Issue

Acta Paediatrica

Acta Paediatrica

Volume 98, Issue 10, pages 1632–1636, October 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Roswall, J., Bergman, S., Almqvist-Tangen, G., Alm, B., Niklasson, A., Nierop, A. F. and Dahlgren, J. (2009), Population-based waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio reference values in preschool children. Acta Paediatrica, 98: 1632–1636. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2009.01430.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Paediatrics, County Hospital, Halmstad, Sweden

  2. 2

    Department of Paediatrics, Institute for Clinical Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden

  3. 3

    Research and Development Centre, Spenshult Hospital, Oskarström, Sweden

  4. 4

    Child Healthcare Team, County of Halland, Sweden

  5. 5

    MUVARA, Leiderdorp, The Netherlands

*Josefine Roswall, Department of Paediatrics, County Hospital Halmstad, SE-301 85 Halmstad, Sweden. Tel: +46 35 13 10 00 | Fax: +46 35 13 41 06 | Email: josefine.roswall@lthalland.se

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 1 SEP 2009
  2. Article first published online: 14 JUL 2009
  3. Received 11 March 2009; revised 29 May 2009; accepted 18 June 2009.

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Keywords:

  • Growth standards;
  • Obesity;
  • Overweight;
  • Waist circumference;
  • Waist-to-height ratio

Abstract

Aim:  To establish new reference values for measurements of waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio in preschool children.

Methods:  A population-based, cross-sectional study of 4502 children aged 0–5 years derived from child health care in a Swedish county. Measurements of weight, height and waist circumference were recorded using a standardized procedure.

Results:  New reference values for waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio for preschool children are presented. Reference charts were constructed and are presented. Waist circumference increased with age (r = 0.80, p < 0.001). After adjustment to the individual height, expressed as waist-to-height ratio, there was an inverse correlation to age during the first 5 years of age (r = −0.87, p < 0.001).

Conclusion:  The new reference values for waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio for Swedish preschool children enable future identification of new risk populations for childhood obesity. For clinicians, new reference charts for these two variables are provided for practical use.

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