title: Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Danish preschool children over a 10-year period: a study of two birth cohorts in general practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine change in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in preschool children, over a 10-year period and to identify possible predictors of overweight in 5-year-old children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anthropometric data from birth and routine child health examinations at 3 and 5 years of age performed in general practice were collected in 5580 children from two Funen birth cohorts (1992 and 2001, respectively) representing 48% of the total population at similar age. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was classified using the International Obesity Task Force definitions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a Danish representative survey of preschool children, the average body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of overweight and obesity did not vary significantly during the 10-year period. No significant changes in mean birth weight were registered and mean BMI in the group of obese children did not increase. Overweight or obesity at 5 years was strongly associated with overweight and obesity at 3 years and with birth weight and gender.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of overweight and obesity was observed to be stable over a decade in Danish preschool children without changes in mean BMI in the group of obese children. A strong association between overweight and obesity at 3 and at 5 years of age was detected.
authors: Hans Christian Andersen Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark. lonemarielarsen@hotmail.com
authors: Lone Marie
authors: LM
authors: Larsen
authors: Niels Thomas
authors: NT
authors: Hertel
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Mølgaard
authors: René dePont
authors: Rd
authors: Christensen
authors: Steffen
authors: S
authors: Husby
authors: Dorte Ejg
authors: DE
authors: Jarbøl
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution