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Background/Objectives: In 2002, the prevalence of overweight and obesity, defined by body mass index (BMI), was higher in New Zealand Maori (40%) and Pacific (60%) than in European (24%) children;however, this does not take into account interethnic differences in body composition. This study compared trajectories of anthropometric indices from 2004 to 2006 among 5- and 10-year-old Maori and European children. Subjects/Methods: In 2004 and then in 2006, 1244 children (639 boys and 605 girls) aged 5 and 10 years had height, weight and fat-free mass (FFM) by bioimpedance measured to derive measures of fat mass (FM), percentage body fat (%BF), FM index (FMI, FM/height2), FFM index (FFMI, FFM/height2), and s.d. scores for BMI and %BF and BMI categories by International Obesity Task Force criteria. Results: Body composition and growth in Maori children is different from European children. Over 2 years, the BMI and %BF s.d. scores in both 5- and 10-year-old cohorts increased more in Maori children than in European children. The prevalence of overweight and obesity also increased within ethnicity and age group. The relative change of FMI and FFMI differed by age group, gender and ethnicity. In Maaori girls, the magnitude of the changes between 10 and 12 years of age was most marked--the major contribution was from an increase in FMI. At 12 years, the mean %BF of Maori girls was 31.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 30.1 and 33.3) compared with that of European girls (28.0%;95% CI: 27.0 and 29.0). Conclusions: FM and FFM measures provide a more appropriate understanding of growth and body composition change in children than BMI, and vary with gender and ethnicity. Thus, FMI and FFMI should be tracked and compared among populations. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2012) 66, 143-149; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2011.130; published online 20 July 2011 Keywords: childhood obesity;BMI;ethnicity;growth trajectories, Introduction Across the lifespan in New Zealand, there are clear disparities in health outcomes and body size differences between Maoris and Europeans: early stage obesity is evident in more Maori [...]

Background: This study investigated physical activity and dietary intake of children aged 9-11 years, and the influence of peers on these behaviours over a 2-year period. Methods: A total of 106 (64 girls; 42 boys) children were investigated annually, over 2 years. Measures included physical activity (sealed pedometer), self-report measures of dietary intake and physical activity, and a peer influence questionnaire. Anthropometric measures of height and weight were also obtained. Results: The findings reveal insufficient energy intakes, physical activity levels and fruit and vegetable consumption but high intakes of saturated fat and sodium, over time, in both boys and girls. Both male calcium and female iron intakes were also of concern. Throughout the survey, peers were found to influence physical activity behaviour but not dietary intake. Conclusions: The fact that youth consistently failed to meet established nutrition and physical activity recommendations highlights the importance of promoting physical activity and healthy eating to children younger than 9 years of age. The finding that peers significantly influence physical activity behaviour over time should be considered when designing new physical activity interventions aimed at young people. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2010) 64, 776-781; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2010.63; published online 19 May 2010 Keywords: activity;diet;peers;youth;longitudinal, Introduction Unhealthy eating habits and low physical activity levels during childhood can have a significant influence on chronic disease occurrence in later life (World Health Organization, 2004). Yet, UK-based research [...]