Childhood Body Fat Patterns and Obesity Prevalence in Kazakhstan

ABSTRACT Background In Kazakhstan the pediatric population levels of obesity based on fat mass (FM) assessment are currently unknown. The present work aimed to assess average childhood FM levels and the prevalence of high levels of adiposity (based upon FM levels). Methods Cross‐sectional data from 2015 to 2020 nationally representative Childhood obesity surveillance initiative and 2022 regional surveys were used for this study of children aged 8 years (n = 4770) and 9 years (n = 3863). Childhood FM assessment was made using a validated prediction model using height, weight, age, sex and ethnicity. Average levels of FM, fat mass percent (FM%) and the prevalence of overfat and obesity were estimated. Results Amongst 8‐year‐olds, the population average FM% was 32.3% (95% CI: 31.7%–32.8%) for boys and 35.2% (95% CI: 34.8–35.6) for girls (2015) and 32.7% (95% CI: 32.3–33.1) for boys and 35.1% (95% CI: 34.7–35.5) for girls in 2020. The Almaty region had the average FM% 32.7% (95% CI: 32.1–33.2) and 34.8% (95% CI: 34.3–35.4) for boys and girls respectively in 2022. The similar pattern was observed for 9 year old children. Conclusions The present study reveals high FM% levels in primary school age children from Kazakhstan across study years. Understanding patterns of FM levels is important for preventing and addressing childhood obesity.