Evaluation of risk factors of obesity in school‐age children attending public and private schools in Mexico

Abstract

The objective of this cross‐sectional study was to evaluate the association between mother's BMI and educational level, children's diet and type of school with children's overweight and obesity. A total of 1102 children (557 boys and 545 girls), 5–12 years, from 7 random private and public schools of Queretaro, Mexico, participated in the study. Weight, height, waist circumference, and body fat% were determined in all the children. Diet was evaluated with three 24hr recall. Height and weight of children's mother were measured, and their educational level was evaluated using a validated questionnaire. Forty four percent of children and 71% of mothers were either overweight or obese. In logistic regressions, the risk of being overweight or obese was greater among children attending public schools (OR=2.69, 95%CI 1.438–5.029). Children of mothers with a high education level or with a high a BMI had a higher risk of overweight or obesity (OR=2.59, 95%CI 1.33–5.043; OR=4.53, 95%CI 2.185–9.396, respectively). Also, children with low carbohydrate intake (<63% of total energy intake) had a higher risk of overweight/obesity (OR=3.89, 95%CI 1.343, 11.061). In conclusion, risk factors of overweight or obesity in this population included low carbohydrate intake, public school attendance, mother with a high BMI or mother with a high education level. CONACYT