Overweight and Obesity in School Age Population Beneficiaries of School Breakfasts Program in San Luis Potosí, Mexico

Abstract

ObjectiveTo establish the association between overweight and obesity and to be beneficiary of the School Breakfasts Program (PDE) in school age children from San Luis Potosí, Mexico.Materials and methods: information from 403 children was analyzed, 303 belonging to PDE and 100 from control group. Body Mass Index (BMI) z‐score was obtained as well as information about age, diet and socioeconomic level. Descriptive analyses were performed and a logistic regression model was done.Results: Overweight and obesity prevalence in PDE group was 13.9% and 6.5% respectively whereas in the control group were of 10% and 6%. A significant association could not be found between overweight (OR= 1.2, p=0.65) and obesity (OR=0.83, p=0.72) and belonging to the program. It was observed that as the socioeconomic index increases the probability of shift from a normal weight status to overweight was 3.5 times bigger in socioeconomic tertile 3 in relation to tertile 1 (p=0.000) and 12.5 times for the shifting from overweight to obesity (p=0.001).ConclusionsNo association between to be beneficiary of the PDE and overweight and obesity was found. This is positive because the program was restructured in 2010 as part of a national obesity prevention and control program through guidelines for the sale of food and beverages in schools.Supported by FOMIX SLP COPOCyT Project FMSLP‐213‐CO2‐208475