Increasing obesity rates in school children in United Arab Emirates.
BACKGROUND
The remarkable socioeconomic changes in United Arab Emirates (UAE) necessitate regular monitoring of obesity in our population. This study explored the epidemiology of obesity in a large cohort of UAE students.


METHODS
This population-based study investigated the prevalence of obesity in 44,942 students attending governmental schools in Ras Al-Khaimah. Body-mass-index (BMI) was calculated in 15,532 children (4-12 y) in 2013-2014, and in 29,410 children (3-18 y) in 2014-2015. The International Obesity Task Force, World Health Organization, and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reference methods were used to identify overweight, obesity, and extremely-obesity.


RESULTS
Using CDC interpretation of BMI, from 11 to 14 y, the prevalence of BMI ≥85th percentile was 41.2%, BMI ≥95th percentile 24.3% and BMI ≥99th percentile 5.7%. Obesity increased linearly from 3 to 12 y (R2≥ 0.979); each year an additional 2.36% of the students became obese and 0.28% became extremely obese. The rate of extreme-obesity was 9.6-fold higher in boys than girls (0.58% vs. 0.06%). From 15 to 18 y, 10.3% of boys were extremely obese and 3.0% of girls were extremely obese.


CONCLUSIONS
These results confirm a steady rise in obesity in children 3-18 y. The rising rate of extreme obesity is also alarming, especially among boys.
Department of Pediatrics United Arab Emirates University Al-Ain UAE.
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A
AlBlooshi
Department of Medical Education United Arab Emirates University Al-Ain UAE.
S
S
Shaban
School Health Clinic Ministry of Health Ras Al-Khaimah UAE.
M
M
AlTunaiji
School Health Clinic Ministry of Health Ras Al-Khaimah UAE.
N
N
Fares
School Health Clinic Ministry of Health Ras Al-Khaimah UAE.
L
L
AlShehhi
School Health Clinic Ministry of Health Ras Al-Khaimah UAE.
H
H
AlShehhi
School Health Clinic Ministry of Health Ras Al-Khaimah UAE.
A
A
AlMazrouei
Department of Pediatrics United Arab Emirates University Al-Ain UAE.
A-K
AK
Souid
Adolescents; extreme obesity; obesity; overweight; school children