Secular increases in body fat percentage in male children of Zaragoza, Spain, 1980-1995.

Abstract Background. Data on temporal changes on total body fat percentage (TBF%) are scarce, and no such data are known to exist in Spain. The aim of our study was to describe secular increases in TBF% in male children and adolescents of Zaragoza, Spain, from 1980 to 1995. Methods. The samples analyzed in the present study have been included in two cross-sectional surveys conducted in 1980 and 1995. The samples selected for the 1980 and 1995 surveys comprised 1553 and 701 male children with ages ranging from 6.0 to 14.9 years. Weight, height, and four skinfold thicknesses were measured. From these measurements we have calculated TBF%. Results. Concerning body mass index (BMI), we have observed significant increases from 8.5 to 11.5 years, ranging in this age group from 0.80 to 1.45 kg/m 2 . TBF% showed significant increases at all age groups, with percentage increases of 2.46% at 13.5 years and 6.03% at 11.5 years. Conclusions. We have shown a secular increase in TBF% in children aged 6.0 to 15.0 years that is greater than the increase in BMI. The similarity of our findings for both relative weight and skinfold thickness, even with less significant differences for BMI, suggests that, in children of Zaragoza, Spain, adiposity has increased during the 1980–1995 period.