Changes in body composition between 1997 and 2002 among South Australian children: influences of socio‐economic status and location of residence

Objective: To compare rates of change in South Australian children's body composition between 1997 and 2002 in subsamples based on location of residence and socio-economic status. Methods: Year 6 children from randomly selected South Australian schools in 1997 (32 schools, n=1,423) and 2002 (29 schools, n=992) were compared on: body mass index (BMI), sum of triceps and abdominal skinfolds (skinfold sum) and waist girth. Samples were partitioned into urban (population >20,000) and rural (