Development of weight status in a sample of children in Innsbruck

Overweight and obesity in children is a ubiquitous and widely discussed topic. BMI is usually used as an indicator of weight status due to its straightforward and relatively simple method of measurement. However there are significant differences in the measurements of body weight and height as well as in the results of various studies. Furthermore there are few studies that observe the same subjects over a longer period of time and examine changes. Using three standardised measurement methods this study aims to determine whether and how the weight status of a sample of primary school children in Innsbruck changes during their first year of school. The aim is also to show whether the body mass index (BMI) is a reliable tool for assessing weight status. To this end 163 primary school children in Innsbruck were examined for their weight status when they started school and at the beginning of the second school year. A bioimpedance analysis (BIA) was performed the BMI was calculated the waist circumference was determined and the data collected was evaluated and analysed.