Is potato chips snacking associated with an increase of body weight in children? Results from the OBEY‐AD Study (621.1)

Abstract

Objective. In the last decades, the prevalence of obesity and overweight in children reaches the epidemic level. Poor eating habits, inadequate intake of vegetables, fruit, and eating too many high‐calorie snacks, play a role in childhood obesity. The aim of this study is to assess the relation between potato chips consumption and the increase of body weight in children aged 3‐11 years. Study design. The OBEY‐AD is a cross‐sectional study which has been conducted in 9 countries (Argentina, Brasil, France, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, India, Italy and Mexico), enrolling 2635 children aged 3‐11 years. Children’s BMI CDC z‐scores have been computed for each child and categorized accordingly as Normal, Overweight or Obese and as Underweight. Parents have been asked about snacking habits in the family. A multivariable logistic model has been used to model risk of overweight or obesity in association with potato chips consumption. Results. Overall, 33% (857) of the children are snacking potato chips at least once per day, whereas 57% (1446) are not having access to them but rarely, varying from 51% in Brazil up to 80% in Argentina (p‐value < 0.001). Prevalence rates of obesity or overweight did not vary significantly according to potato chips consumption (p‐value = 0.19), ranging from 24% (164) in those who are snacking potato chips at least once per day up to 25% (361) in those who are snacking potato chips never or rarely. Non significance of the association persisted (p‐value 0.598) even after adjustment for major confounders (hours/week TV, physical activity, BMI father, BMI mother, number brothers or sisters, socio‐economic status, fruit portions/day, vegetables portions/day). Conclusions. The consumption of particular foods such as high energy dense foods is not responsible for prevalence rates of overweight and obesity if associated to a healthy lifestyle. The variety in food consumption and an adequate level of physical activity are two important factors associated with healthy habits.