Normal weight obesity – prevalence and time trends in children and adolescents from Poland

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: To analyse the changes in the prevalence of normal weight obesity in 8-18-year-olds from Kraków (Poland) between 2010 and 2020. Methods: The study was based on two sets of cross-sectional, school-based data obtained in 2010 and 2020. Body height, weight and adiposity were obtained. Body Mass Index was calculated, and only normal-weight individuals were included. Normal weight obesity was defined as normal BMI with adiposity >85 percentile for age and sex. Results: The prevalence of normal weight obesity among Polish children and adolescents has been alarming for at least the last ten years. Depending on the sex and age, normal weight obesity was present in more than ten up to even more than 20 percent of the examined population. Conclusions: Alarming numbers of Polish children and adolescents suffer from NWO and this problem seems to be present for at least the last decade. A need for a maximally universal definition and cut-offs to diagnose normal weight obesity should also be stressed, as it will be helpful in providing the best prophylaxis and help to persons already suffering from normal weight obesity.