Predictive ability of waist-to-height in relation to adiposity in children is not improved with age and sex-specific values.

A waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) ≥0.5 indicates increased health risk in children and adults. However, because of residual correlation between WHtR and height in children, dividing waist circumference by height to the power of one may be insufficient to correctly adjust for height during growth.

Sex differences in regional body fat distribution from pre- to postpuberty.

Few large studies have evaluated the emergence of sexual dimorphism in fat distribution with appropriate adjustment for total body composition. The objective of this study was to determine the timing and magnitude of sex differences in regional adiposity from early childhood to young adulthood. Regional fat distribution was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (trunk and extremity fat using automatic default regions and waist and hip fat using manual analysis) in 1,009 predominantly white participants aged 5-29 years.

Relationships of appendicular LMI and total body LMI to bone mass and physical activity levels in a birth cohort of New Zealand five-year olds.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether children with lower bone mass display lower muscle mass for their height than those with high bone mineral content (BMC) and whether appendicular lean mass (bone-free lean mass in arms plus legs) is associated with physical activity and/or BMC in preschool children. 158 children (59% male) from a New Zealand cohort born in 2001-2002 were studied close to their fifth birthday. Body composition was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (Lunar DPX-L).

Waist circumference as a measure of trunk fat mass in children aged 3 to 5 years.

Objective: The increasing prevalence of obesity in young children emphasises the need for accurate measures of total and regional fat at this age. Thus the aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and the conicity index (CI) to discriminate between children with low and high levels of trunk fat mass.

Methods: Trunk fat mass was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 301 predominantly Caucasian children (150 girls) aged 3-5 years.

The association between obesity and asthma: interactions between systemic and airway inflammation.

Rationale: Both obesity and asthma are common conditions, and both are characterized by the presence of inflammation. Animal studies suggest that the development of airway hyperresponsiveness with antigen challenge is exaggerated with obesity. However, clear evidence for either an additive or a synergistic pathologic interaction between obesity and asthma is lacking in humans.

Relationship of total body fat mass to bone area in New Zealand five-year-olds.

Fat mass was recently shown to be a positive determinant of bone mass and size independently of lean mass in a birth cohort of British 9-year-olds. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether similar relationships are evident in younger, preschool children. Height and weight were measured, and a total-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometric scan was performed on 194 preschool New Zealand children (81 girls, 113 boys) participating in the Dunedin birth cohort Family, Lifestyle, Activity, Movement, and Eating (FLAME) study close to their fifth birthday.

Body mass index status is effective in identifying metabolic syndrome components and insulin resistance in Pacific Island teenagers living in New Zealand.

Although adults of Pacific ethnicity living in New Zealand have more than double the prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease than the general population, little is known regarding the presence of risk factors for these disorders among young Pacific Islanders. The study aim was to examine relationships between body composition, glucose and lipid metabolism, and components of the metabolic syndrome (MS) in a community sample of Pacific Island (PI) teenagers living in Dunedin. Anthropometry, body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment [HOMA2], McAuley index), and components of MS were assessed in 80 PI teenagers (aged 15-18 years).

Ethnic differences in extreme obesity.

A nationwide representative survey of New Zealand schoolchildren showed a 2.7% incidence of extreme obesity (versus 4% in the United States) but revealed worrying ethnic differences in prevalence. Prevalence percentages (95% CI) were 0.

DXA measurements confirm that parental perceptions of elevated adiposity in young children are poor.

Objective: To compare parental assessments of child body weight status with BMI measurements and determine whether children who are incorrectly classified differ in body composition from those whose parents correctly rate child weight. Also to ascertain whether children of obese parents differ from those of non-obese parents in actual or perceived body weight.

Research Methods And Procedures: Weights, heights, BMI, and waist girths of New Zealand children ages 3 to 8 years were determined.

The effect of selenium on thyroid status in a population with marginal selenium and iodine status.

The effects of Se on thyroid metabolism in a New Zealand population are investigated, including (a) the relationship between Se and thyroid status, and (b) the effect of Se supplementation on thyroid status. The data used come from two cross-sectional studies of Se, I, thyroid hormones and thyroid volume (studies 1 and 4), and three Se intervention studies in which thyroid hormones, Se and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were measured (studies 2, 3 and 5). There were no significant correlations between Se status and measures of thyroid status after controlling for sex at baseline or after supplementation in any of the studies.

Bone and body composition of children and adolescents with repeated forearm fractures.

Unlabelled: DXA measurements in 90 children and adolescents with repeated forearm fractures showed reduced ultradistal radius BMC and BMD values and elevated adiposity, suggesting site-specific bone weakness and high body weight increase fracture risk. Symptoms to cow milk, low calcium intakes, early age of first fracture, and overweight were over-represented in the sample.

Introduction: Although many apparently healthy children fracture their forearms repeatedly during growth, no previous studies of their bone health and body composition have been undertaken.

Early adiposity rebound: review of papers linking this to subsequent obesity in children and adults.

Purpose Of Review: Improving our understanding of factors driving fat gain in young children should increase our ability to manage the rising problem of obesity. Accordingly, studies associating timing of adiposity rebound with later obesity are reviewed.

Recent Findings: Investigations in many countries have confirmed that early adiposity rebound increases risk of high blood pressure and obesity in young adults.

First fracture is associated with increased risk of new fractures during growth.

Prior fracture was associated with increased risk of new fracture in 601 members of a cohort studied between birth and l8 years. Hazard ratios for new fracture in data adjusted for age and sex were l.90 (95%CI l.

Dietary factors are not associated with high levels of obesity in New Zealand Pacific preschool children.

Pacific children living in New Zealand (NZ) are prone to excessive weight gain. In this study, we assessed the anthropometric status of 2- to 5-y-old Pacific children (n = 60) in relation to their macronutrient intakes. Measurements of height (n = 56), weight (n = 60), midarm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness (n = 58), and 2-d weighed food records (n = 60) and demographic data were collected.

Children who avoid drinking cow's milk are at increased risk for prepubertal bone fractures.

The full fracture histories of 50 children (30 girls and 20 boys, age range 3 to 13 years) who had avoided drinking cow's milk for prolonged periods were compared with those in a birth cohort of more than 1,000 children from the same city. Children who avoided milk did not use calcium-rich food substitutes appropriately and had low dietary calcium intakes and low bone mineral density values. Many were overweight (22 of 50).

High levels of childhood obesity observed among 3- to 7-year-old New Zealand Pacific children is a public health concern.

This cross-sectional, community-based survey was designed to assess attained growth and body composition of 3- to 7-y-old Pacific children (n = 21 boys and 20 girls) living in Dunedin, New Zealand, and to examine nondietary factors associated with the percentage of body fat. Fat mass, lean tissue mass and the percentage of body fat were measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. One trained anthropometrist also measured height, weight, skinfolds (triceps, subscapular) and circumferences (mid-upper arm, chest, waist, calf).

Selenium supplements do not increase plasma total homocysteine concentrations in men and women.

Studies in rats indicate that plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is decreased in selenium deficiency and increases with selenium supplementation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of selenium supplements on plasma tHcy concentrations in a population that has suboptimal selenium status. Subjects from Dunedin, New Zealand (n = 189) were randomly assigned to receive a supplement containing 200 micro g selenium or placebo for 20 wk.