Prevalence of overweight and underweight in public and private schools in the Seychelles.
OBJECTIVE
We compared the prevalence of body weight categories between public and private schools in the Seychelles, a rapidly developing small island state in the African region.


METHODS
In 2004-2006, weight and height were measured and self-reported information on physical activity collected in children of three selected grades in all schools in the country. Overweight, obesity and thinness were defined according to standard criteria.


RESULTS
Based on 8 462 students (377 in private schools), the prevalence of overweight (including obesity) was markedly higher in private than public schools (boys: 37% [95% CI: 31-44] vs. 15% [14-16]; girls: 33% [26-41] vs. 20% [19-22]). The prevalence of thinness grade 1 was lower in private than public schools (boys: 9% [5-13] vs. 20% [19-21]; girls: 13% [8-18] vs. 19% [18-20]). Students in private schools reported more physical activity at leisure time while students in public schools reported larger weekly walking time.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that school type may be a useful indicator for assessing the association between socio-economic status and overweight in children, and that overweight affects wealthy children more often than others in developing countries.
Bovet
Pascal
P
Ministry of Health and Social Development, Section for Non-Communicable Diseases, PO Box 52, Victoria, Republic of Seychelles. bovet.pascal@gmail.com
Chiolero
Arnaud
A
Madeleine
George
G
Paccaud
Fred
F
D000293:Adolescent; D001835:Body Weight; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D017149:Private Sector / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017150:Public Sector / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012750:Seychelles / Q000453:epidemiology; D012923:Social Class; D013851:Thinness / Q000453:epidemiology*