Objective: To analyze the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity in Chinese minority students in 2005.
Methods: We analyzed data of 24 minority groups aged 7 - 18 years from Chinese national survey on students' physical fitness and health in 2005. Criterion made by the workgroup of obesity in China (WGOC) was used.
Results: The prevalence rates of overweight in 24 minority groups aged 7 - 18 years were 3.71% for boys and 4.72% for girls, while the prevalence rates of obesity were 1.60% for boys and 1.25% for girls. The total prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were 5.32% for boys and 5.96% for girls. The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were higher in Korean, Mongolian and Kazak but lower in Zhuang and Shui students the Korean students the highest.
Conclusion: In general, both the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity in Chinese minority students were comparatively low. However, in some minority groups the prevalence had already become higher, which demands early prevention.