Socio-demographic and economic correlates of overweight status in Chinese adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate over-weight prevalence and socio-demographic and economic correlates in Chinese adolescents.

METHODS

Weight, height, waist circumference, and socio-demo-graphic and economic variables of 6863 middle and high school students were measured.

RESULTS

10% of girls and 17% of boys were overweight. Waist circumference and overweight risk were significantly associated with pubertal status (P<0.05). High levels of parental education and family income were significant risk factors for overweight (P<0.05).

DISCUSSION: Our findings underscore the need for development of evidence-based and culturally appropriate public health programs to prevent and treat pediatric obesity in China.