Overweight among eight and twelve-year-old children in Oslo in 2004

Overweight among children is an increasing problem internationally. The body mass index of the parents and their children influences body mass index during adulthood and the probability of overweight and obesity. The aim of this survey was to obtain reliable data on weight and height for eight and twelve-year-olds in Oslo. School health nurses in Oslo took measurements of the children's weight and height. The survey includes 3453 eight-year-olds and 3597 twelve-year-olds. The prevalence of overweight among eight-to-twelve-year-olds is 21%. There is a significant difference in the prevalence of overweight children between the local districts of Oslo. One in four of eight-year-old and one in five of twelve-year old girls are overweight. There is no significant difference between boys in different age groups. The prevalence of overweight among eight to twelve-year-old children in Oslo is alarming. There are big differences between districts.