Obesity and cholesterol in Japanese, French, and U.S. children.
The number of children at risk for overweight/obesity has increased dramatically in the last decade worldwide. This study compares measures of obesity (body mass index [BMI] and body fat percentage) and total cholesterol in 4,013 fourth-grade students from three countries, France, Japan, and the United States. Data were analyzed using t test, chi-square, and analysis of variance to determine differences between groups and by multiple linear regression. All variables differed significantly by group. BMI was highest in U.S. children. Body fat percentage was also highest in U.S. children and lowest in French children. Total cholesterol was highest in French children and lowest in U.S. White children. There were modest but significant associations between BMI and cholesterol in all groups except French children; associations varied by gender. Results indicate there was great variation in measures of obesity and cholesterol by country. The association between obesity and cholesterol may vary by culture, ethnicity, and gender.
Bingham
Mona O
MO
Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA. mona.bingham@us.army.mil
Harrell
Joanne S
JS
Takada
Haruko
H
Washino
Kaei
K
Bradley
Chyrise
C
Berry
Diane
D
Park
Hyunju
H
Charles
Marie Aline
MA
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology