Waist circumference distribution in Colombian schoolchildren and adolescents: The FUPRECOL Study

Objective: This study was intended to establish the percentile distribution of waist circumference in schoolchildren from Bogota, Colombia, participating in the FUPRECOL Study.

Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in 3,005 children and 2,916 adolescents aged 9 to 17.9 years. Height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and self-assessed sexual maturity status were recorded. Percentiles (3(rd), 10(th), 25(th), 50(th), 75(th), 90(th), and 97(th)) and smoothed sex- and age-specific curves were calculated, and the waist circumference values found were compared to international references from other ethnic populations.

Results: Fifty-seven percent of the overall population (n=5,921) were females (mean age, 12.7±2.3 years). In most age groups, waist circumference was greater in boys as compared to girls. The increase between the 50(th) and 97(th) percentiles by age was 15.7cm in boys aged 9 to 9.9 years and 16.0cm in girls aged 11-11.9 years. Comparison of our study results, by age group and sex, to international references showed that our 50(th) percentile was lower than reported in Peru and the UK except for studies in India, Venezuela (Merida), US, and Spain was higher.

Conclusions: Age- and sex-specific percentiles of waist circumference obtained from children and adolescents from Bogota, Colombia, are reported. They may be used as a reference both for nutritional assessment and for predicting cardiovascular risks at early ages.