The sex-based disparity in BMI-for-age z-score trends among Xinjiang children and adolescents using four rounds of cross-sectional surveys from 1985 to 2014

Abstract

Abstract Background This study aimed to evaluate trends in body mass index (BMI)-for-age z-scores among children and adolescents in Xinjiang. Methods Data were obtained for children and adolescents aged 7–18 years in Xinjiang from the Chinese National Survey on Students’ Constitution and Health (CNSSCH) in 1985 (n = 14 683), 1995 (n = 7198), 2005 (n = 10 253) and 2014 (n = 18 521). Results The BMI-for-age z-score distribution of children and adolescents in Xinjiang showed an increased mean BMI-for-age z-score, dispersion and right-skewed of BMI-values, with a rapid increase in BMI with increasing BMI percentiles. The sex-based disparity in BMI-for-age z-scores became wider in the past 30 years. Conclusions Sex-based targeted public health measures and policies are urgently needed in Xinjiang. The rapid increases in the upper percentiles also implicated further efforts to prevent weight gain in those living already with overweight or obesity.