Lifestyle Risk Factors for Childhood Obesity

Abstract

Background: this study was designed to assess the role of lifestyle and nutritional factors in the aetiology of childhood obesity. Methods: the study was carried out among two study populations of children aged 5-years ( n=206) and 9 years of age ( n=230). the children underwent standard anthropomorphic measurements that were correlated to the social status of the family, physical activity habits and nutritional factors. Results: the prevalence of childhood overweight-obesity in 5-year-old Maltese children was 28.8% in boys and 32.7% in girls; 48.9% and 45.1% respectively at 9 years of age. there was no apparent relationship between childhood obesity and the socioeco - nomic status of the family, but a definite statistically significant negative correlation was noted with breastfeeding in the 5-year-old children. the study suggested a possible positive relationship between childhood obesity and an increase mean passive activity time with a corresponding negative association to mean active physical activity and sleeping times. Obese children appeared to be eating more energy-dense food than their counterparts, though there seems to be an attempt to control for the increased weight by reducing the intake of sweets and snacks. Conclusions: the study suggests that the combination of decreased physical activity and increased energy-dense foods may be contributory towards the development of childhood obesity.