Abstract
BackgroundSeveral studies indicate that dietary pattern and leisure time activities of adults not only differ between sexes but also between overweight and normal weight individuals. The aim of the present study was to determine if sex-specific differences in dietary pattern and leisure time activity already exist and are associated with weight status in young childhood.MethodsNutritional intake, anthropometric parameters, leisure time activities and socio- demographical factors were assessed in 100 overweight and 51 normal weight children (81 girls and 70 boys), aged 5–8 years.ResultsIn general, independent of body weight, boys ate more cheese while girls consumed more vegetables and spent more time with sedentary activities. Moreover, regardless of sex, total energy and macronutrient intake did not differ between normal weight and overweight children. Also, time spent with sportive activities did not differ between groups; however, overweight boys spent significantly more leisure time with sedentary activities than normal weight boys. Furthermore, BMI of mothers and time spent with sedentary activities were identified as independent risk factors for the development of overweight when performing multiple regression analyses.ConclusionsTaken together, results of our study suggest that already at young age sex influences dietary pattern independent of body weight. Furthermore, an increased time spent with sedentary activities and an elevated maternal BMI were found to be associated with an elevated body weight in children. (Trial registration: NCT01306396)
Highlights
The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in industrialized countries has increased dramatically throughout the last three decades
Starting from this background the aim of the present study was to determine if sex-specific differences in dietary pattern and leisure time activity already exist in boys and girls aged 5–8 years and if these differ between normal weight and overweight children
Average Body Mass Index (BMI) of mothers of overweight children was significantly higher in comparison to that of normal weight children
Summary
The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in industrialized countries has increased dramatically throughout the last three decades. Results of epidemiological studies suggest that dietary habits are acquired in childhood and are often maintained into adulthood [8] In line with this hypothesis, several studies analyzing dietary pattern in older children, adolescents and young adults found that fruit and vegetable intake of girls was markedly higher in comparison to boys whereas boys ate more milk products, cereals and meat [9]. Only scarce information on dietary pattern and possible sex-specific differences of children below the age of 10 years is available and results vary between countries [5,10] Starting from this background the aim of the present study was to determine if sex-specific differences in dietary pattern and leisure time activity already exist in boys and girls aged 5–8 years and if these differ between normal weight and overweight children. The aim of the present study was to determine if sex-specific differences in dietary pattern and leisure time activity already exist and are associated with weight status in young childhood
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