Sex differences in time trends for overweight and obesity in adolescents: The Young-HUNT study

Aims: To investigate sex differences in the prevalence and extent of overweight and obesity in adolescents aged 14—18 years. Methods: Standardized measurements of height and weight were collected from surveys of adolescents in the same geographical area in 1966—69 (n = 8378) and in 1995—97 (n = 6673). The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were calculated using criteria approved by the International Obesity Task Force. The extents of overweight and obesity were assessed by computing age- and sex-specific body mass index (BMI) percentiles. Results: In 1995—97, 17.2% met the criteria for either overweight or obesity, as compared with 10.7% in 1966—69. The prevalence of overweight and obesity combined was higher in girls (13.0%) than in boys (8.5%) in 1966—69 (difference 4.5%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.1—5.9), while no sex difference was found in 1995—97 (girls 16.9%, boys 17.5%, difference —0.6, 95% CI —2.3—1.1). The increase in overweight was greater in boys (6.2PP, 95% CI 4.7—7.6) than in gir...