Abstract

GOTTHELF, Susana J.  and  JUBANY, Lilián L.. Comparación de tablas de referencias en el diagnóstico antropométrico de niños y adolescentes obesos. Arch. argent. pediatr. [online]. 2005, vol.103, n.2, pp.129-134. ISSN 0325-0075.

The WHO considers obesity as a new worldwide emergency, its increase has negative repercussions on quality of life. Therefore, the identification of children with a higher risk of obesity has become a public health priority. The most widely used diagnostic criteria are based on anthropometric determinations of weight related to height and skinfold thickness. Nearly all the studies characterize obesity in childhood using the body mass index (NCHS and Cole's charts). The Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría (Argentine Society of Pediatrics) has published charts of weight/height ratios for boys and girls. Objective. To determine if there are differences in the diagnosis of obesity according to the use of different reference charts. Population, materials and methods. 303 children aged from 3 to 17 years, from both genders, were included in this retrospective, descriptive, crossectional, and comparative study. The medical records of children treated for obesity at the National Center for Nutritional Research were reviewed. The following reference values were used: weight/height>120 for obesity (Lejarraga and Orfila); BMI for obesity >Pc 95 (NCHS); BMI equivalent to adult obesity= 30 (Cole). Analyses were performed by sex and were divided in two age-groups (<10 and >10 years). Data were processed with the EpiInfo 6.0 program and the X2 test was applied. Results. In the comparative diagnosis, the differences were significant in the overall sample (SAP vs. NCHS, p= 0.0000001; SAP vs. COLE, p= 0.00000…; COLE vs. NCHS, p= 0.009), as well as in the analyses performed by sex and by age. Conclusion. Considering the observed differences, the authors recommend to perform another study with a larger population in order to select the reference chart that is more representative of the Argentine anthropomorphic characteristics.

Keywords : obesity; diagnosis; reference charts.

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