Overweight and obesity in preschoolers: Prevalence and relation to food consumption

To determine overweight and obesity prevalence in preschool children from public education, and to determine their relation to food consumption.

Cross-sectional study with children aged between 2 and 5 years, of both sexes, enrolled at municipal day care centers. Socioeconomic, demographic and anthropometric data were collected, in order to calculate the body mass index (BMI) for age. Data on food consumption were assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire. χ2 test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation were used at a significance level of 5%.

Of 548 children, 52% were male, with mean age of 4.2 years old. Most families had incomes between 1 and 2 minimum wages (59.7%), in addition to 10 years (mothers) of education. Anthropometric parameters did not differ significantly between sexes. According to the BMI-for-age, it was found that most of children were well-nourished (85.2%), 8.2% had the risk of becoming overweight, and 4.2% were overweight. The most consumed foods were: rice (100%), beans (99.4%), bread (98.5%), fruit (98.5%), red meat (97.1%), butter and margarine (95.4%), biscuits, cakes and sweet pies (94.1%), dairy products (94.1%), chocolate milk (91.7%), and soft drinks (90.2%). Consumed foods that were strongly correlated (r > 0.7) to the risk of/excess weight were, as follows: bread; biscuits, cakes, sweet pies; dairy products; chocolate milk; sausages.

There was low prevalence of overweight and absence of obesity among the population assessed. The risk of overweight was greater among girls. Data from the study showed deviations in food consumption.