BACKGROUND: @entity28 is a public health problem in Canada. Accurate measurement of a health problem is crucial in defining its burden. The objective of this study is to compare the prevalence estimates of @entity28 in preschool @entity1 using three growth references. METHODS: Weights and heights were measured on 1026 preschool @entity1 born in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), Canada, and body mass index calculated. The prevalence of @entity28 was determined and statistical comparisons conducted among the three growth references; the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and the World Health Organization (WHO). RESULTS: CDC and IOTF produced similar estimates of the prevalence of overweight, 19.1% versus 18.2% while the WHO reported a higher prevalence 26.7% (p < .001). The CDC classified twice as many @entity1 as @entity28 compared to the IOTF 16.6% versus 8.3% (p < .001) and a third more than the WHO 16.6% versus 11.3% (p < .01). There was variable level of agreement between methods. CONCLUSIONS: The CDC reported a much higher prevalence of @entity28 compared to the other references. The prevalence of @entity28 is dependent on the growth reference used.

Obesity prevalence estimates in a Canadian regional population of preschool XXXX using variant growth references.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['children'] @entity28 :: ('MESH:D009765', 'Disease') :: ['childhood obesity', 'Childhood obesity', 'obese', 'obesity', 'overweight and obesity']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['children']
