Changes of anthropometric indicators of Lithuanian first-graders in 2008-2019 according to International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and World Health Organization (WHO) definitions

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The monitoring of children's growth plays a crucial role in assessing their growth patterns and indicating their weight status. Increased BMI, overweight and obesity is most commonly associated with unhealthy nutrition, non-communicable diseases, and other health disorders. The World Health Organization (WHO) initiated the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) to measure routinely trends in children’s anthropometric changes, that allows intercountry comparisons within the European Region. COSI study aims to evaluate and to compare underweight, overweight and obesity changes across countries. Methods This study was composed according to the COSI study protocol, and it compares the five rounds of anthropometric measurements of Lithuanian first-graders (7-8-year-old) from 2008 to 2019. The main measurements were weight and height; calculated BMI, W/A, H/A and BMI/A Z-scores. Changes of the indicators were evaluated according to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut-offs and WHO child growth standards, grouped by 4 estimates: underweight (thinness), normal weight, overweight and obesity. All comparisons were performed between age groups, gender and COSI round year. Results The mean values for weight, height, W/A and H/A Z-scores were significantly higher for both age and gender groups when comparing later COSI round years (2016 or 2019) to earlier years (2008-2013, in some cases 2016 is included in this range). Time trends of the WHO growth standards and IOTF cut-offs indicate significant decrease among 7-year-old overweight group for boys and girls. Also, a significant decrease was indicated among boys aged 8 years in the overweight group according to the WHO definitions. The only significant increase in trend were expressed in girl’s group with obesity aged 8 years according to IOTF cut-offs. Conclusion The prevalence of overweight and obesity of first-grade children in Lithuania indicates positive changes during eleven-year period. However, it is important to continue the monitoring of children’s growth tendencies.