Aim: To evaluate the prevalence in overweight/obesity children attended the primary school [2007-08, (T1) in Ferrara, Italy] and the variation in prevalence by sex and lifestyle. Materials and Methods: 2.151 children [1.133 males (M), 1.018 females (F)] were measured height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI). Eating and physical activity habits were evaluated by the compilation of a questionnaire. To evaluate the trend of BMI we compared this study with a previous one performed in 2003-04 (T0). Results: 22% were overweight and 9% were obesity. 74% engaged in regular physical activity. Children’s parents: 56% both were sedentary, 29% only one was active, 15% both were active. 10 years old children were allocated into 2 groups: active and not active. The mean BMI was lower* in active group, M (T0: 19, T1: 18.8) and F (T0: 18.8, T1: 18.1). The prevalence of overweight and obesity is lower* in active population (M: 28.9% vs 39.1%; F: 26.6% vs 31.9%). The prevalence of active children is higher* even if the parents were active (91% vs 73%). We found a lower BMI, M: from (T0) 18.9 to (T1) 18.5, F: form (T0) 18.7 to (T1) 17.1. Even the prevalence of overweight and obesity detected in the T1 study was lower*, M: 38.3% (T0) vs 30.8% (T1), F: 38.1% (T0) vs 28% (T1). (*T-test, P<0.05) Conclusion: An active lifestyle has positive effect on body mass composition in primary school children and the parents lifestyle influence children’s one, consequently one of the prior educational effort should start from school.
PREVALENCE IN OVERWEIGHT/OBESITY AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY HABITS IN CHILDREN
GRAZZI, Giovanni;BERNARDI, Eva;GROSSI, Giulio;MAZZONI, Gianni
2012
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the prevalence in overweight/obesity children attended the primary school [2007-08, (T1) in Ferrara, Italy] and the variation in prevalence by sex and lifestyle. Materials and Methods: 2.151 children [1.133 males (M), 1.018 females (F)] were measured height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI). Eating and physical activity habits were evaluated by the compilation of a questionnaire. To evaluate the trend of BMI we compared this study with a previous one performed in 2003-04 (T0). Results: 22% were overweight and 9% were obesity. 74% engaged in regular physical activity. Children’s parents: 56% both were sedentary, 29% only one was active, 15% both were active. 10 years old children were allocated into 2 groups: active and not active. The mean BMI was lower* in active group, M (T0: 19, T1: 18.8) and F (T0: 18.8, T1: 18.1). The prevalence of overweight and obesity is lower* in active population (M: 28.9% vs 39.1%; F: 26.6% vs 31.9%). The prevalence of active children is higher* even if the parents were active (91% vs 73%). We found a lower BMI, M: from (T0) 18.9 to (T1) 18.5, F: form (T0) 18.7 to (T1) 17.1. Even the prevalence of overweight and obesity detected in the T1 study was lower*, M: 38.3% (T0) vs 30.8% (T1), F: 38.1% (T0) vs 28% (T1). (*T-test, P<0.05) Conclusion: An active lifestyle has positive effect on body mass composition in primary school children and the parents lifestyle influence children’s one, consequently one of the prior educational effort should start from school.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
