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Prevalence of obesity in children in north-east Italy
Insights
Childhood obesity prevalence in Northeast Italy was analyzed, revealing higher rates in males and a peak at age 10. Consistent trends were observed across various measurement methods, highlighting the need for standardized diagnostic criteria.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Public Health Nutrition
- Childhood Obesity Research
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern.
- Accurate prevalence data is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Varied diagnostic criteria can complicate comparisons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the prevalence of childhood obesity in six regions of Northeast Italy.
- To examine obesity prevalence across different age groups and sexes.
- To assess the impact of different diagnostic criteria on prevalence rates.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 1523 children aged 4, 8, 10, and 12 years.
- Obesity defined as weight >120% of predicted weight for height (Italian Consensus Conference on Obesity guidelines).
- Physical characteristics measured by trained examiners; BMI, triceps skinfold, and fat mass also analyzed.
Main Results:
- Overall obesity prevalence was higher in males (15.7%) than females (11%).
- The highest prevalence was observed in 10-year-old males (23.4%).
- Prevalence generally increased with age in both sexes, with some variations.
Conclusions:
- Obesity prevalence in Italian children varies by age and sex, with a notable peak at age 10.
- Different measurement methods yield varying prevalence magnitudes but show consistent trends.
- A consensus on precise diagnostic criteria for childhood obesity is essential for accurate diagnosis and population comparisons.
Abstract:
This study was performed to analyse the prevalence of obesity in children living in six different areas of the north-east of Italy. The study included 1523 children (749 male, 774 female), divided into four age categories (4, 8, 10, 12 +/- 0.5 years of age, respectively). The physical characteristics of the children were measured by trained and standardized examiners. In accordance with the guidelines on the Italian Consensus Conference on Obesity (Rome, 4-6 June 1991), a child was defined as obese when his weight was higher than 120% of the weight predicted for height, as calculated from the Tanner's tables. On average, the prevalence of obesity was higher in males than in females (15.7% vs. 11%). The highest prevalence was seen in 10-year-old males (23.4%). The prevalence increased with age both in males (4 years = 3.6%, 8 years = 11.2%, 10 years = 23.4%, 12 years = 17.3%) and in females (4 years = 2%, 8 years = 13.3%, 10 years = 12.7%, 12 years = 11.9%). This tendency was maintained when calculating the obesity prevalence by other methods, such as BMI, triceps skinfold and fat mass, although the magnitude of the prevalence was different depending on the criteria used to define it. A consensus on more precise criteria to define obesity is needed for a better diagnosis of obesity in childhood and to allow a more reliable measurement and comparison of the prevalence of obesity among populations.