Abstract
BackgroundOverweight and obesity among adolescents are increasing worldwide. Risk factors include dietary intake characteristics and high levels of physical inactivity. In Sweden, few large comprehensive population-based surveys of dietary intake and lifestyle among adolescents have been carried out. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to describe dietary intake and food choices as well as leisure time activities in relation to overweight and obesity in a total sample of all schoolchildren aged 15 years in Western Sweden.MethodsIn 2008, a questionnaire was sent to all 21,651 adolescents born in 1992 in Västra Götaland Region, Sweden. Participation rate was 54.3 % (50.7 % girls/49.3 % boys). The questionnaire included a 73-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and questions on lifestyle. Results were evaluated against the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations and Swedish indicators of healthy diet and exercise habits. Associations with concurrent overweight and obesity were evaluated in multiple linear regression analysis.ResultsAmong girls, 49.5 % reached the goal of consuming fruit and vegetables at least daily, whereas for boys the figure was 34.4 %. Among both sexes, 15 % reached the goal of consuming fish at least twice weekly. Two-thirds of both sexes reached the goal of regular moderate or vigorous physical activity weekly. In total, 12.4 % were overweight and 2.4 % were obese. More girls than boys were underweight, whereas more boys than girls were overweight or obese (p < 0.001). Boys exhibited a more frequent intake of sodas and concentrated fruit juices, milk 3 % fat, bread and potatoes and fast food (p < 0.001). Frequent intake of candies and chocolate was reported by both sexes. Among girls and boys, living in rural areas, living in apartments and reporting no frequent leisure time physical activity were significant risk factors for being overweight or obese, also when adjusted for other risk factors.ConclusionsDietary habits of adolescents in Western Sweden warrant improvements. Public health actions should be taken to increase consumption of fruit, vegetables and fish, and decrease consumption of sodas and candies and also to increase frequency of physical activity. These actions may be helpful in reducing risks for overweight and obesity.
Highlights
Overweight and obesity among adolescents are increasing worldwide
Among adolescents born in Sweden or with Swedish parents, participation rate was 61 %, in comparison with 16 % among adolescents born abroad and 28 % among adolescents born in Sweden and with at least one parent born abroad
The majority of the adolescents grew up in Sweden, in urban areas and in a family that lived in a private residency
Summary
Overweight and obesity among adolescents are increasing worldwide. Risk factors include dietary intake characteristics and high levels of physical inactivity. In Europe, the annual increase in prevalence of childhood overweight was 0.1 % during the 1970s, 0.4 % during the 1980s, 0.8 % during the 1990s and 2.0 % by the 2000s [4] These patterns are of clinical as well as public health concern, since obesity in childhood is associated with both short- and long-term health consequences [4,5,6]. Childhood overweight and obesity are the consequences of excessive energy intake relative to energy output together with a genetic disposition [6]. The mechanisms for such imbalance are complex though, involving both individual- and societal level factors. Dietary intake characteristics in childhood and adolescence are important to evaluate and act on if necessary, because they predict dietary intake in adult life and thereby risk of chronic diseases [4, 7]
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