Abstract
BackgroundThis study examines obesity and factors associated with obesity in children aged 11–13 years in the UK.Methods1147 children from ten secondary schools participated in a health survey that included blood samples, fitness test and anthropometric measures. Factors associated with obesity were examined using multilevel logistic regression.FindingsOf the children examined (490 male; 657 female) a third were overweight, 1 in 6 had elevated blood pressure, more than 1 in 10 had high cholesterol, 58% consumed more fat than recommended, whilst 37% were classified as unfit. Children in deprived areas had a higher proportion of risk factors; for example, they had higher blood pressure (20% (deprived) compared to 11% (non-deprived), difference: 9.0% (95%CI: 4.7%–13.4%)). Obesity is associated with risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. Maintaining fitness is associated with a reduction in the risk factors for heart disease (high blood pressure and cholesterol) but not on risk factors for diabetes (insulin levels). In order of importance, the main risk factors for childhood obesity are being unfit, having an obese father, and being large at birth.ConclusionThe high proportion of children with risk factors suggests future interventions need to focus on community and policy change to shift the population norm rather than targeting the behaviour of high risk individuals. Interventions need to focus on mothers’ lifestyle in pregnancy, fathers’ health, as well as promoting fitness among children. Obesity was not associated with deprivation. Therefore, strategies should be adopted in both deprived and non deprived areas.
Highlights
The World Health Organisation predicts that by 2015 approximately 2.3 billion adults will be overweight and more than 700 million will be obese
This study examines prevalence of obesity and cardiovascular risk factors such as cholesterol level, fasting insulin, fasting glucose, adiponectin, high blood pressure and looks at the factors associated with obesity in children at age 11–13
Prevalence of Risk Factors The prevalence of risk factors for Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and T2DM were compared for deprived versus non-deprived schools
Summary
The World Health Organisation predicts that by 2015 approximately 2.3 billion adults will be overweight and more than 700 million will be obese. In 2005, at least 20 million children under the age of 5 were overweight [1]. Obesity can lead to many health complications, including hypercholesterolemia and hypertension, which in turn can lead to chronic health consequences. Even though the health consequences of obesity are most commonly seen during adulthood, the underlying factors of these diseases often originate during childhood. Many studies, including the Muscatine Study [2,3] and the Bogalusa Heart Study [4], have convincingly shown that overweight and obesity during adolescence is a determinant of a number of CVD risk factors in adulthood. This study examines obesity and factors associated with obesity in children aged 11–13 years in the UK
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