title: Pediatric adiposity stabilized in Switzerland between  1999 and 2012.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several countries have recently reported stabilization and/or a decrease in the prevalence of pediatric obesity. However, systematic, repeated national monitoring studies are scarce, and it is unclear whether this trend would be sustained. The objective was to present the latest overweight and obesity prevalence in Swiss children and to investigate trends in prevalence from 1999 to 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using probability-proportionate-to-size cluster sampling, nationally representative samples of children aged 6-12 years were recruited in 1999 (n = 594), 2002 (n = 2,493), 2004 (n = 328), 2007 (n = 2,218), 2009 (n = 907), and 2012 (n = 2,963). Height and weight were measured to calculate BMI (kg/m²). BMI cutoffs proposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and by the International Obesity Task Force were used to determine the prevalence of overweight (excluding obesity) and obesity. Waist circumference was measured in 2007 and 2012, and multiple skinfold thicknesses assessed in 2002 and 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using the CDC criteria, prevalences of overweight and obesity in 2012 were 11.9 % (95 % CI 10.7-13.1) and 7.1 % (95 % CI 6.2-8.0), respectively, and did not change between 1999 and 2012 (β = -0.144, p = 0.293 and β = -0.063, p = 0.552, respectively). Boys had significantly higher obesity prevalence than girls in 2007 (5.6 vs. 3.4 %) and 2012 (8.1 vs. 5.9 %). Percentage of children with excess waist circumference and body fat percentage did not differ between 2007 and 2012, and 2002 and 2012, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data indicate the prevalence of childhood adiposity in Switzerland stabilized between 1999 and 2012, but ≈1 in 5 children remain overweight or obese and further efforts are needed to control the epidemic.
authors.forename: Stefanie B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Murer
authors.forename: Siret
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saarsalu
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aeberli
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D058872:Epidemics / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D019456:Health Transition; D006801:Humans; D007390:International Agencies; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D050177:Overweight / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States; D055105:Waist Circumference