Regional differences in childhood BMI data : the Malta childhood national body mass index study

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is a problem of major public health concern all over the world and Malta has high obesity prevalence rates. With over a third of Maltese children being overweight or obese, the Malta Childhood National Body Mass Index study was devised to quantify the extent of the problem precisely. This paper looks at regional differences in the BMI data obtained.

Methods: Training in measurement was provided to physical education teachers and identical stadiometers were used. Data was processed using World Health Organisation cut-offs for underweight, overweight and obesity.

Results: A total of 41,343 students from 145 schools were measured. Age range from 4.7 to 17 years. Approximately 40% of school-aged children in Malta were overweight or obese, with higher percentages of obesity than overweight being observed. Results show significant differences in BMI between children living in Northern and Southern regions of Malta.

Conclusion: Results from this study further confirm the high levels of overweight and obesity in Maltese children. The North-South differences should help better target public health resources and should be further evaluated in more focussed research.