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Prevalence and deteminants of obesity in Spanish children and young people

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2007

Lluis Serra-Majem ,
Javier Aranceta Bartrina ,
Carmen Pérez-Rodrigo ,
Lourdes Ribas-Barba  and
Alfonso Delgado-Rubio
Lluis Serra-Majem*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, PO Box 55, E-0 35080 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Javier Aranceta Bartrina
Affiliation:
Community Nutrition Unit, Department of Public Health, Bilbao, Spain
Carmen Pérez-Rodrigo
Affiliation:
Community Nutrition Unit, Department of Public Health, Bilbao, Spain
Lourdes Ribas-Barba
Affiliation:
Unit for Research in Community Nutrition, Scientific Park, Barcelona University, Barcelona, Spain
Alfonso Delgado-Rubio
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Spain
*
*Corresponding author: Professor Lluís Serra-Majem, fax +34 928 453475, email lserra@dcc.ulpgc.es
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Abstract

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Prevalence estimates of obesity in a national random sample of Spanish children and young people are presented in this paper, defined by age- and sex-specific BMI national reference standards for the 85th percentile (overweight) and 97th percentile (obesity), as well as by Cole et al. criteria. A random sample of 3534 people, aged 2–24 years, was interviewed between 1998 and 2000. The study protocol included personal data, data on education and socioeconomic status (SES) for the family, dietary assessment, anthropometric measurements and physical activity. The prevalence of obesity was 13·9 % (95 % CI 12·7, 15·1) considering Spanish reference standards as cut-offs. Obesity was significantly higher in boys (15·6 %) than in girls (12 %). The highest values were observed between 6 and 13 years of age. Using Cole's cut-offs, the estimated prevalence of obesity was 6·3 % (95 % CI 5·4, 7·5) with a similar pattern to that previously described by sex. Regarding sociodemographic factors, sex, age group, region, size of locality of residence, mother's level of education and family SES level were significant predictors for obesity in children and adolescents under 14 years. Among young people, the main sociodemographic predictors for obesity were geographical region and family SES level. Odds ratio for obesity was 1·27 for those with a more frequent consumption of buns, cakes and snacks, and 1·71 for those with more frequent consumption of sugared drinks. Adequate consumption of fruit and vegetables, usually having breakfast and regular sports practice had a protective effect. The available data show that obesity in Spain is a public health issue given its magnitude and increasing trends. Among Spanish children and young people, those at prepubertal age, particularly boys, can be identified as a group at higher risk for overweight and obesity, particularly children from lower SES families.

Keywords

ChildrenAdolescentsObesityOverweightPrevalenceDeterminantsPopulation study
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 96 , Issue S1 , August 2006 , pp. S67 - S72
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2006

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