[Anthropometric profile and prevalence of overweight in schoolchildren in Ubrique, Cádiz]

Adult overweight is an important risk factor for a range of chronic illnesses, and seems to be linked with overweight in childhood. The identification of children at risk of overweight could therefore be a suitable means of preventing these illnesses in adults. The aim of our study was to determine the anthropometric profile and prevalence of overweight in a population of schoolchildren in a rural town in Cadiz, which is also a major industrial centre.

A cross-sectional study was carried out, in which a representative sample of 493 schoolchildren of both sexes and aged from 4 to 14 years old was studied. They were measured for height, weight, arm circumference, triceps skinfold, and their IMC was calculated. The results were compared with a Spanish reference population. To measure obesity IMC > or = 25 kg/m2 was used.

Height, weight, arm circumference, triceps skinfold and the IMC showed values that were slightly above those corresponding to the reference population, and there was a low incidence of overweight. These results are along the lines of studies published by the authors on the eating habits of this population.