TEMPORAL TRENDS OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY AMONG 4–14 YEAR-OLD CHILDREN IN LIECHTENSTEIN. RESULTS OF A MONITORING PROJECT FROM 2004 TO 2018

Abstract

Monitoring data analysis forms a central basis for the assessment of the prevalence and development of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents, thus identifying a potential need for action and adopting preventive measures. Based on data of 5‘515 children and adolescents aged between 4 and 14, this article presents a current trend analysis for Liechtenstein for in the period between 2004 and 2018. This study is based on cross-sectional data from health screening examinations supervised by the national Office of Public Health. The Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated from anthropometric measurements and classified with reference to the age and gender-specific cut-off criteria of the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). Across the examined age groups, 15.6% of all children and adolescents in Liechtenstein are currently considered to be overweight or obese. This is a similiar prevalence as in neighbouring regions and shows a stable development over the 15-year monitoring period.