title: Childhood obesity in the Caribbean.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of overweight among school children in Bonaire, an island in the Caribbean, and to obtain clues for prevention of overweight.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional school-based study, weight and height were measured in all 4-16-year old children in Bonaire (n = 2148). Body mass index was categorized as defined by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). The children were administered a questionnaire pertaining to lifestyle and nutrition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of overweight, including obesity, in boys is 24.3%, and 31.9% in girls; obesity is 9.9% and 13.7%, respectively. Approximately half of the children have an unhealthy food pattern. Significantly less overweight (49%) and obese children (45%) are physically active for > 1 hour/day compared to normal weight children (56%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children in Bonaire is high. Prevention of overweight should focus on stimulating healthy eating habits and more physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public and Occupational Health and the EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schwiebbe
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Rest
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Verhagen
authors.forename: R W M
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Visser
authors.forename: J Kist-van
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Holthe
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hirasing
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D014900:West Indies / Q000453:epidemiology