The mean ages and SD of the total sample, the overweight and the obese is as shown in Table 1. Mean age and standard deviation of study sample. Percentage distribution of the overweight and obese children by age. Percentage of overweight and obese children according to ethnic groups and sex. Malay males cf.
Indian females cf.
There was no significant difference between the three ethnic groups amongst the obese males. The age range of school children studied was comparable. With regard to age distribution, most children were found to be overweight and obese around the pubertal period, between 11 to 14 years. The obese children showed a similar distribution. The peak at puberty can be explained by the fact that there is an associated increase in adipose tissue as well as in the children's overall body weight during puberty.