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Patterns of body size and adiposity among UK children of South Asian, black African-Caribbean and white European origin: Child Heart And health Study in England (CHASE Study).
Int J Epidemiol. 2011 Feb; 40(1):33-44.IJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to examine adiposity patterns in UK South Asian, black African-Caribbean and white European children using a range of adiposity markers. A cross-sectional survey in London, Birmingham and Leicester primary schools was conducted. Weight, height, waist circumference, skinfold thickness values (biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac) were measured. Fat mass was derived from bioimpedance; optimally height-standardized indices were derived for all adiposity markers. Ethnic origin was based on parental self-report. Multilevel models were used to obtain adjusted means and ethnic differences adjusted for gender, age, month, observer and school (fitted as a random effect). A total of 5887 children aged 9-10 years participated (response rate 68%), including 1345 white Europeans, 1523 South Asians and 1570 black African-Caribbeans.

RESULTS

Compared with white Europeans, South Asians had a higher sum of all skinfolds and fat mass percentage, and their body mass index (BMI) was lower. South Asians were slightly shorter but use of optimally height-standardized indices did not materially affect these comparisons. At any given fat mass, BMI was lower in South Asians than white Europeans. In similar comparisons, black African-Caribbeans had a lower sum of all skinfolds but a higher fat mass percentage, and their BMI was higher. Black African-Caribbeans were markedly taller. Use of optimally height-standardized indices yielded markedly different findings; sum of skinfolds index was markedly lower, whereas fat mass index and weight-for-height index were similar. At any given fat mass, BMI was similar in black African-Caribbeans and white Europeans.

CONCLUSIONS

UK South Asian children have higher adiposity levels and black African-Caribbeans have similar or lower adiposity levels when compared with white Europeans. However, these differences are not well represented by comparisons based on BMI, which systematically underestimates adiposity in South Asians, and in black African-Caribbeans it overestimates adiposity because of its association with height.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Division of Community Health Sciences, St George's, University of London, London, UK. cnightin@sgul.ac.ukNo affiliation info availableNo affiliation info availableNo affiliation info availableNo affiliation info available

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

21044977

Citation

Nightingale, Claire M., et al. "Patterns of Body Size and Adiposity Among UK Children of South Asian, Black African-Caribbean and White European Origin: Child Heart and Health Study in England (CHASE Study)." International Journal of Epidemiology, vol. 40, no. 1, 2011, pp. 33-44.
Nightingale CM, Rudnicka AR, Owen CG, et al. Patterns of body size and adiposity among UK children of South Asian, black African-Caribbean and white European origin: Child Heart And health Study in England (CHASE Study). Int J Epidemiol. 2011;40(1):33-44.
Nightingale, C. M., Rudnicka, A. R., Owen, C. G., Cook, D. G., & Whincup, P. H. (2011). Patterns of body size and adiposity among UK children of South Asian, black African-Caribbean and white European origin: Child Heart And health Study in England (CHASE Study). International Journal of Epidemiology, 40(1), 33-44. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyq180
Nightingale CM, et al. Patterns of Body Size and Adiposity Among UK Children of South Asian, Black African-Caribbean and White European Origin: Child Heart and Health Study in England (CHASE Study). Int J Epidemiol. 2011;40(1):33-44. PubMed PMID: 21044977.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Patterns of body size and adiposity among UK children of South Asian, black African-Caribbean and white European origin: Child Heart And health Study in England (CHASE Study). AU - Nightingale,Claire M, AU - Rudnicka,Alicja R, AU - Owen,Chris G, AU - Cook,Derek G, AU - Whincup,Peter H, Y1 - 2010/11/01/ PY - 2010/11/4/entrez PY - 2010/11/4/pubmed PY - 2011/7/27/medline SP - 33 EP - 44 JF - International journal of epidemiology JO - Int J Epidemiol VL - 40 IS - 1 N2 - BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to examine adiposity patterns in UK South Asian, black African-Caribbean and white European children using a range of adiposity markers. A cross-sectional survey in London, Birmingham and Leicester primary schools was conducted. Weight, height, waist circumference, skinfold thickness values (biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac) were measured. Fat mass was derived from bioimpedance; optimally height-standardized indices were derived for all adiposity markers. Ethnic origin was based on parental self-report. Multilevel models were used to obtain adjusted means and ethnic differences adjusted for gender, age, month, observer and school (fitted as a random effect). A total of 5887 children aged 9-10 years participated (response rate 68%), including 1345 white Europeans, 1523 South Asians and 1570 black African-Caribbeans. RESULTS: Compared with white Europeans, South Asians had a higher sum of all skinfolds and fat mass percentage, and their body mass index (BMI) was lower. South Asians were slightly shorter but use of optimally height-standardized indices did not materially affect these comparisons. At any given fat mass, BMI was lower in South Asians than white Europeans. In similar comparisons, black African-Caribbeans had a lower sum of all skinfolds but a higher fat mass percentage, and their BMI was higher. Black African-Caribbeans were markedly taller. Use of optimally height-standardized indices yielded markedly different findings; sum of skinfolds index was markedly lower, whereas fat mass index and weight-for-height index were similar. At any given fat mass, BMI was similar in black African-Caribbeans and white Europeans. CONCLUSIONS: UK South Asian children have higher adiposity levels and black African-Caribbeans have similar or lower adiposity levels when compared with white Europeans. However, these differences are not well represented by comparisons based on BMI, which systematically underestimates adiposity in South Asians, and in black African-Caribbeans it overestimates adiposity because of its association with height. SN - 1464-3685 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/21044977/Patterns_of_body_size_and_adiposity_among_UK_children_of_South_Asian_black_African_Caribbean_and_white_European_origin:_Child_Heart_And_health_Study_in_England__CHASE_Study__ L2 - https://academic.oup.com/ije/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/ije/dyq180 DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -