title: Reference curves for BMI, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio for Azorean adolescents (Portugal).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There are no percentile curves for BMI, waist circumference (WC) or waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) available for Portuguese children and adolescents. The purpose of the present study was to develop age- and sex-specific BMI, WC and WHtR percentile curves for a representative sample of adolescents living in the Portuguese islands of Azores, one of the poorest regions of Europe, and to compare them with those from other countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional school-based study. Weight, height and WC were objectively measured according to standard procedures. Smoothed percentile curves were estimated using Cole's LMS method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Azores, Portugal.
  
  
  METHODS
  Proportionate stratified random sample of 1500 adolescents, aged 15-18 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed some sex differences in the shape of the BMI curves: in girls, the upper percentile values tend to decrease by the age of 16 and 17 years; whereas in boys, the upper percentiles tend to be flat between 15 and 16 years and then increase until the age of 18 years. In both sexes, the upper percentile values of both WC and WHtR decreased slightly by the age of 16 years and then increased steeply. In both sexes, the Azorean values for the 50th and 90th WC percentiles were higher than those reported for adolescents from the majority of other countries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reference curves presented herein provide baseline data for the long-term surveillance of Azorean adolescents, as well as for national and international comparisons.
authors: Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido Costa 91, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal. rutemarinasantos@hotmail.com
authors: Rute
authors: R
authors: Santos
authors: Carla
authors: C
authors: Moreira
authors: Jonatan R
authors: JR
authors: Ruiz
authors: Susana
authors: S
authors: Vale
authors: Luisa
authors: L
authors: Soares-Miranda
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: Moreira
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: Lopes
authors: Ana I
authors: AI
authors: Marques
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Oliveira-Tavares
authors: Paula C
authors: PC
authors: Santos
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Abreu
authors: Manuel J
authors: MJ
authors: Coelho-Silva
authors: Jorge
authors: J
authors: Mota
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001394:Azores / Q000453:epidemiology; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools; D012737:Sex Factors; D055105:Waist Circumference