Search

Background: In Kazakhstan the pediatric population levels of obesity based on fat mass (FM) assessment are currently unknown. The present work aimed to assess average childhood FM levels and the prevalence of high levels of adiposity (based upon FM levels)., Methods: Cross-sectional data from 2015 to 2020 nationally representative Childhood obesity surveillance initiative and 2022 regional surveys were used for this study of children aged 8 years ( n  = 4770) and 9 years ( n  = 3863). Childhood FM assessment was made using a validated prediction model using height, weight, age, sex and ethnicity. Average levels of FM, fat mass percent (FM%) and the prevalence of overfat and obesity were estimated., Results: Amongst 8-year-olds, the population average FM% was 32.3% (95% CI: 31.7%-32.8%) for boys and 35.2% (95% CI: 34.8-35.6) for girls (2015) and 32.7% (95% CI: 32.3-33.1) for boys and 35.1% (95% CI: 34.7-35.5) for girls in 2020. The Almaty region had the average FM% 32.7% (95% CI: 32.1-33.2) and 34.8% (95% CI: 34.3-35.4) for boys and girls respectively in 2022. The similar pattern was observed for 9 year old children., Conclusions: The present study reveals high FM% levels in primary school age children from Kazakhstan across study years. Understanding patterns of FM levels is important for preventing and addressing childhood obesity., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2024 The Author(s). Obesity Science & Practice published by World Obesity and The Obesity Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: No comprehensive short-form health literacy (HL) survey tool has been available for general use across Asia., Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate a short-form HL instrument derived from the 47-item European Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47)., Methods: A population survey ( N = 10,024) was conducted from 2013 to 2015 using the HLS-EU-Q47 in 1,029 participants from Indonesia, 1,845 from Kazakhstan, 462 from Malaysia, 1,600 from Myanmar, 3,015 from Taiwan, and 2,073 from Vietnam. Validation of the short form was evaluated by principle component analysis, internal consistency, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis., Key Results: Based on responses from six countries, a 12-item short-form HL questionnaire (HLS-SF12) was developed, retaining the conceptual framework of the HLS-EU-Q47 and accounting for the high variance of the full-form (i.e., 90% in Indonesia, 91% in Myanmar, 93% in Malaysia, 94% in Taiwan, and 95% in both Kazakhstan and Vietnam). The HLS-SF12 was demonstrated to have adequate psychometric properties, including high reliability (Cronbach's alpha = .85), good criterion-related validity, a moderate and high level of item-scale convergent validity, no floor or ceiling effect, and good model-data-fit throughout the populations in these countries., Conclusions: The HLS-SF12 was shown to be a valid and reliable tool for HL surveys in the general public in six Asian countries. [ HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice . 2019;3(2):e90-e102.] ., Plain Language Summary: A health literacy survey was conducted from 2013 to 2015 in six Asian countries using the European Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47). The collected data were used to develop and validate a comprehensive short-form questionnaire. A health literacy questionnaire with 12 items (HLS-SF12) that retains the original conceptual framework of the HLS-EU-Q47 was demonstrated to be reliable and valid.