PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H O Mossberg

Publications and source records attributed to H O Mossberg.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

A 40-year history of overweight children in Stockholm: life-time overweight, morbidity, and mortality.

We describe the 40-year weight history and adult morbidity and mortality in a cohort of 504 overweight children, aged 2 months to 16 years, who were admitted for investigation of their overweight to four children's hospitals in Stockholm between 1921 and 1947. Follow-up information was gathered by questionnaire at 10-year intervals, most recently in 1980-1983 (n = 458), on weight history (based on the body mass index (BMI = kg/m2)), as well as prevalence of cardiovascular disease (n = 143), diabetes (n = 39), and cancer (all types (n = 20)), reported during the 40 years of follow-up, and mortality from all causes (n = 55), determined from death certificate. The sample of overweight children remained overweight as adults; after age 55 years, the BMI began to decline for both genders. Female subjects were heavier than their male counterparts from postpuberty onward. Subjects who died by the 40-year follow-up and those reporting cardiovascular disease were significantly (P < or = 0.05) heavier at puberty and in adulthood than were healthier subjects. There was a marked increase in the BMI between postpuberty and age 25 among those who subsequently died, those who developed cardiovascular disease, and particularly among those who developed diabetes (P < or = 0.001). In contrast, those reporting cancer had a lower BMI throughout adulthood than those who did not. We conclude that overweight in adolescence may continue into adulthood and may be associated with subsequent adverse health outcomes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Weight-for-height standards in adulthood.

Although there are some Swedish studies giving reference values for height and weight in adulthood, no values of weight for height (W/H) are available. W/H is an essential measurement, as it permits comparison of weight independent of the height of an individual. We here present a method of constructing W/H standards, illustrated by a material sample of 4438 healthy individuals, 20-80 years of age, living in the Uppsala County during the period 1964-1971. In setting standards of W/H, the 'normal' increase in weight during adulthood and the distribution skewness of weight are both shown to be important. This weight gain starts at about 40 years of age, and is completed at approximately 55 years of age. It can be regarded as a 'normal' pattern, but not necessarily the optimum healthy one. Using ordinary growth charts for weight and height, a simple means of expressing W/H in standard deviation scores is outlined. It is difficult to find a representative Swedish sample, owing to geographical and psychosocial differences, and also to the secular trend phenomenon. However, the mean values for weight and height obtained in the present study fall between the mean values of two other recently conducted Swedish studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Overweight in children and youths--a 40-year follow-up study].

In 504 overweight children followed for 40 years, the degree of overweight in the family and in puberty were found to be determinants of the adult weight level. The level of persistent overweight in adulthood was 35 per cent (range, 20-60 per cent). Weight was above normal even in cases where food intake was within recommended norms. Excessive overweight in puberty was found to be associated with greater adult morbidity and mortality. Weight reducing measures should be instituted in cases of childhood overweight exceeding +3SD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

40-year follow-up of overweight children.

504 overweight children admitted to hospital between 1921 and 1947 were followed up for 40 years by questionnaires at 10 year intervals. The mean weight for height (W/H) standard deviation score (SDS) reached a maximum in puberty (+3.5). The SDS fell to about +1 in adulthood. 47% patients were still obese (SDS greater than +1) in adulthood; 84.6% of these had SDS more than +2 in childhood. The degree of obesity in the family (parents and grandparents) and the degree of overweight in puberty were the most important factors for weight level in adulthood. Even when their food intake was in accordance with recommended levels, obese children had higher than normal weight as adults. Excessive overweight in puberty (SDS greater than +3) was associated with higher than expected morbidity and mortality in adult life. Weight-reducing measures should be started early in life to improve the unfavourable long-term prognosis for very obese children.

Adolescent↗