Częstość występowania nadwagi i otyłości u dzieci w wieku szkolnym w regionie bieszczadzkim w Polsce

Abstract

IntroductionControlling the occurrence of excess weight in children population and taking early preventive action are very important for prophylaxis. The problems in children and adolescents are heterogeneous criteria for the assessment of body weight. In Poland, the most common are using the BMI centile charts, but much more standardized criteria, enabling international comparisons are IOTF cut-off points. AimThe aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of obesity and overweight in school-aged children in the Bieszczady region. Material and MethodsA total of 1012 children, who were attending primary schools in the Bieszczady region, took part in this study. Following a favorable opinion of the Bioethics Committee, the survey was conducted among parents/carers, and anthropometric measurements were done in children. Obesity among children was assessed by BMI centile charts (OLAF, 2010) and the IOTF ‘cut-off’ points. ResultsThe average age in the group was 9±2 years, and 45% were boys and 55% girls (p=0.002). The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the study group determined by the BMI percentile charts was 17,6%, but using the IOTF criteria it was 19.3%. Analyzing the prevalence of obesity based on sex, two different criteria were used: Polish and international; it was found that the occurrence in boys group at the same level was 5.9%, while in the group of girls, observed differences using the criterion OLAF obesity show occurrence at the level of 8.3%, and using the criteria IOTF drop to 7%. ConclusionsMonitoring the scale of obesity by making standardized cross-sectional studies can follow trends in this area.