[Epidemiology of childhood obesity: prevalence in North-West Italy]

Childhood obesity is currently the most important form of malnutrition in populations with a high socioeconomic status. In Italy the prevalence of this pathology increases steadily every year with differing percentages in the various regions. This paper aims to contribute to epidemiological studies on childhood obesity by analysing the prevalence of this disorder in a relatively large area of north-western Italy. The study examined the childhood population of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola (Piedmont) (12,174 subjects, of which 6,288 males and 5,886 females) aged between 6 and 15 years old. The prevalence of obesity was 9.88% (51.58% in males and 48.22% in females); males showed a peak of prevalence (16.53%) between 13 and 14 years old and females between 8 and 9 (16%). The analysis of our data highlights the importance of this problem in the area studied.