Factors influencing obesity among Hungarian school-age children

Abstract

Abstract Background Childhood obesity has increased almost 80% worldwide in the last 30 years. According to WHO COSI data, Hungary is ranked 15th in the prevalence of overweight/obesity in 6-9 years children, with national values (27.4%) higher than the average of the participating countries. The aim of the study was to investigate the factors contributing to childhood obesity, along some components of the ecological model, and to identify factors promoting or inhibiting lifestyle changes. Methods The survey was conducted in three primary schools of Szeged, involving 9-12 years old children and their parents (N = 459). The questionnaire examined the child's physical activity, dietary habits, mood, postnatal medical history as well as parents' anthropometric, socio-demographic data, attitudes to their child's nutrition, health-related value system, lifestyle knowledge and relevant history of obesity. Results The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 22.7% in the sample, with higher proportion of boys than girls (59.6% vs. 40.4%). Overweight/obese children were significantly more dissatisfied with their shape than children with normal BMI (39.8% vs. 8.9%, p < 0.001) and fewer of them participated in out-of-school sports activities (69.1% vs. 79.1 %, p > 0.05;). Obese children were significantly more likely to eat even when they were not hungry (37.2% vs. 26.4%, p < 0.05). Frequency of meals with the family was also the lowest among overweight/obese (60.6%), and three times as many of them ate alone in their room than their nutritionally normal fellows. There was no significant difference in the diet preferences and quality of food of the two groups. Conclusions In our study, prevalence of childhood obesity was beyond than global prevalence. Parents' attitudes, and family conventions significantly influenced the success of a child's lifestyle change hence it is high priority to increase the knowledge of the parents. Funding The research is supported by the EFOP-3.6.1-16-2016-00008. Key messages Childhood obesity is a complex problem, simultaneous, positive modification of the family, community, and social environment is indispensable for effective intervention. Parents’ lifestyle influences the children’s dietary habits, therefore parent’s health education is important in the prevention of childhood obesity.