Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil
Published on: July 29, 2020
Macronutrient intake, physical activity, serum lipids and increased body weight in primary schoolchildren in Istanbul
Yannis Manios1, Maria Kolotourou, George Moschonis
1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University of Athens, Greece. manios@hua.gr
Insights
Underweight and overweight are common in Istanbul primary school children, linked to poor cardiovascular health and lower fitness. Early identification of risk factors is crucial for preventing adult-onset diseases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Public Health Nutrition
- Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity in Istanbul primary school children was assessed.
- Investigated the association between elevated body weight and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity in primary school children in Istanbul.
- To examine the relationship between increased body weight and specific cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 510 children (12-13 years old).
- Collected data on anthropometry, diet, physical activity, fitness, and lipid profiles.
- Used Cole et al. criteria for classifying overweight and obesity.
Main Results:
- Prevalence: underweight (15.3%), overweight (10.6%), obesity (1.6%).
- Overweight children exhibited lower physical fitness.
- Overweight boys had unfavorable lipid profiles (higher total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, TC/HDL-C ratio); overweight girls had lower HDL-C.
Conclusions:
- Coexistence of underweight and overweight observed.
- Increased body weight correlated with adverse lipid profiles and reduced fitness.
- Urgent need for early identification and intervention for children at risk of adult-onset obesity and CVD.
Background:
The aim of this cross-sectional study was to record the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in primary school children living in Istanbul and to examine the relationship between increased body weight and certain cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.
Methods:
A total of 510 randomly selected children aged 12 and 13 years of age (257 boys, 253 girls) were examined. Information regarding anthropometrical indices, energy and macronutrient intake, physical activity, physical fitness and lipid profile were collected. Classification of children in overweight and obese subgroups was based on the cut-off points proposed by Cole et al.
Results:
The prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity was found to be 15.3%, 10.6% and 1.6%, respectively. Both overweight boys and girls were found to have lower physical fitness compared to their normal-weight counterparts, but no difference was observed for energy and macronutrient intake. Overweight boys were found to have higher total cholesterol (P < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.01), triglycerides (P < 0.01) and total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (P < 0.05) compared to their normal-weight counterparts, while overweight girls were found to have lower HDL-C (P < 0.05) compared to their normal-weight peers.
Conclusions:
Underweight and overweight coexisted in the current population. Increased body weight was accompanied by unfavorable lipid profiles and lower fitness levels. Consequently, there is an emergent need for early identification and understanding of behavioral and physiological variables related to obesity and CVD, so that appropriate interventions can be targeted to children who are at risk for adult onset of these diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
01:10Nature and Nurture