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)

Claire M Nightingale (1) , Alicja R Rudnicka (1) , Chris G Owen (1) , Derek G Cook (1) , Peter Whincup (2)

1 Community Health Sciences
2 Division of Community Health Sciences

Abstract Objective: To examine adiposity patterns in UK South Asian, black African-Caribbean and white European children using a range of adiposity markers. Design: Cross-sectional survey in London, Birmingham and Leicester primary schools. Measurements: Weight, height, waist circumference, skinfold thicknesses (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. Analysis: Multilevel models were used to obtain adjusted means and ethnic differences adjusted for gender, age, month, observer and school (fitted as a random effect). Participants: 5887 children aged 9-10 years (response rate 68%) including 1345 white Europeans, 1523 South Asians and 1570 black African-Caribbeans. Results: Compared to white Europeans, South Asians had a higher sum of all skinfolds and fat mass %; 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 %; 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 while 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 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.

Mots clés: Medicine

Claire M Nightingale, Alicja R Rudnicka, Chris G Owen, Derek G Cook, Peter Whincup. 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, 2010, ⟨10.1093/ije/DYQ180⟩. ⟨hal-00637335⟩