Abstract
Objective: To analyze the chronological evolution of excess body weight (overweight and obesity) in order to raise public awareness within the different areas of intervention (family, school, business environment, health services) with the aim to take effective actions. Material and methods: Weight, height and body mass index (BMI) of 604 healthy subjects (307 males and 297 females) have been recorded at birth and at the age of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 years. The excess body weight has been calculated according to national references. Results: Prevalence of excess body weight at age 14 years was significantly higher (p<0.05) in males (29%) than in females (12.8%). BMI (kg/m2) was significantly higher (p<0.05) for both sexes in every period of age, except for birth and age 1 year, in those patients with excess body weight at age 14 with respect to patients with normal nutritional status of the same age. Those groups with excess body weight at age 14 showed BMI (Z-score) reaching overweight or obesity levels at age 4, and progressively increasing. Conclusions: Excess body weight would start at early stages in life, when dietary habits of the children depend almost exclusively on family habits, and would be aggravated during school attendance. Finally, a disproportionate weight increase occurs in adolescence probably related to unhealthy dietary habits and lifestyle.
Highlights
Prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity has gradually increased in industrialized countries and is currently the leading nutrition disorder in our society [1,2,3,4]
A Spanish strategy for nutrition, physical activity and prevention of obesity (Estrategia para la Nutrición, Actividad Física y prevención de la Obesidad –NAOS-) [14], was designed in our country in order to support initiatives that contribute to achieve the necessary social change required to reverse the trend towards obesity
Longitudinal study achieved in an infant population (Caucasian healthy individuals, and the children of Caucasian parents from Spanish origin), whose methodology has been explained in detail in previous issues [8,15], has permitted to obtain 604 healthy individuals aged 14 years (307 males and 297 females)
Summary
Prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity has gradually increased in industrialized countries and is currently the leading nutrition disorder in our society [1,2,3,4]. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers obesity a major public health problem [13], given its labor, social, economic and sanitary impact Within this context, a Spanish strategy for nutrition, physical activity and prevention of obesity (Estrategia para la Nutrición, Actividad Física y prevención de la Obesidad –NAOS-) [14], was designed in our country in order to support initiatives that contribute to achieve the necessary social change required to reverse the trend towards obesity. A Spanish strategy for nutrition, physical activity and prevention of obesity (Estrategia para la Nutrición, Actividad Física y prevención de la Obesidad –NAOS-) [14], was designed in our country in order to support initiatives that contribute to achieve the necessary social change required to reverse the trend towards obesity This strategic plan gives priority to the prevention of obesity in childhood/adolescence; in addition, it suggests the creation of an Obesity Observatory for the evaluation and monitoring of concrete steps to be adopted in the different areas of assistance (family, school, corporate and sanitary environment). This situation gives us the possibility of studying the “natural evolution” of excess body weight
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