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Severe obesity prevalence in 8- to 9-year-old Italian children: a large population-based study

F L Lombardo1, A Spinelli1, G Lazzeri2

  • 1National Center of Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|September 18, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Severe obesity affects 4.5% of 8- to 9-year-old Italian children, with higher rates in boys and Southern regions. Parental factors like low education and high BMI are strongly linked to this childhood obesity epidemic.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Public Health Nutrition
  • Childhood Obesity Research

Background:

  • Limited data exists on severe obesity prevalence in children.
  • Understanding childhood obesity is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate the prevalence of severe obesity in 8- to 9-year-old Italian children.
  • To investigate associations between severe obesity and sociodemographic factors, including parental characteristics.
  • Utilize World Health Organization (WHO) and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria for assessment.

Main Methods:

  • A nationally representative sample of 42,431 third-grade Italian students was surveyed in 2010.
  • Standardized instruments and methodology ensured data accuracy.
  • Multivariate logistic regression analyzed the independent effects of sociodemographic variables on severe obesity.

Main Results:

  • In 2010, severe obesity prevalence was 4.5% (WHO) and 2.7% (IOTF), a slight decrease from 2008.
  • Prevalence was higher in males, 8-year-olds, and children residing in Southern Italy.
  • Low parental education and high parental Body Mass Index (BMI) showed strong associations with severe childhood obesity.

Conclusions:

  • An estimated 30,000 to 50,000 Italian children aged 8-9 years experience severe obesity.
  • Findings highlight the need for targeted interventions addressing socioeconomic and parental factors in childhood obesity.
Abstract

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