[Weight status, dietary habits and physical activity among 6-12 year-old children in Castile-La Mancha]

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood obesity is a multifactorial disease, in which unhealthy dietary patterns and sedentary lifestyles play a decisive role. The aim of this study was to assess the weight status, dietary habits and physical activity in Castile-La Mancha children.

Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 3061 children 6-12 years-old who were participating in the programme, "Alimenta su salud". Anthropometric measurements, food consumption frequency, dietary habits and physical activity were assessed by a questionnaire, including gender, age and geographical influences.

Results: The prevalence of subjects with excess weight-for-height was 24.0% and obesity was 14.3%, with geographical differences. Girls more often have mid-morning snacks, consume more supplements, and reported to be less active than boys. Special diets and sports activities were lower in children aged 6-9 years as compared to the 10-12 years old group. The intake of vegetables and fruit is low, while there is overconsumption of sausages, pastries, salted snacks, sweets and fast food, with some differences by age group.

Conclusions: One out of four children is overweight or obese in this population. Children do not meet recommendations for fruit and vegetables and there is a high consumption of foods associated with obesity risk. Physical inactivity was more prevalent during the weekends, and among girls.

Keywords: AEP; Actividad física; Asociación Española de Pediatría; Body mass index; COFCAM; Consejo de Colegios Oficiales de Farmacéuticos de Castilla-La Mancha; Consumo de alimentos; DOHaD; Developmental Origins of Health and Disease; Dietary habits; Food consumption; Grupo Internacional de Trabajo en Obesidad; Hábitos alimentarios; ICAUN; IMC; IOFT; Instituto de Ciencias de la Alimentación de la Universidad de Navarra; OMS; Obesidad; Obesity; Organización Mundial de la Salud; Physical activity; Índice de Masa Corporal; Índice de masa corporal.