Prevalence of overweight and obesity and associated factors among adolescents in the Northeast and Southeast regions of Brazil, 1996 to 1997

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with overweight and obesity (OW/O) among Brazilian adolescents, based on the Living Standards Survey conducted in 1996 and 1997 (IBGE, 1998a). The sample included 1,027 and 854 adolescents aged 15 to 19 years from the Northeast and Southeast regions, respectively. Body Mass Index (w/h2) was calculated. Statistical analysis considered expansion factors and sample design. Prevalence of OW/O was 8.45% in the Northeast and 11.53% in the Southeast. In the Northeast there was a higher risk of OW/O for girls (PR = 3.00), with the same situation in both urban (PR = 3.21) and rural areas (PR = 2.27). In the Southeast, the risk of OW/O was lower among girls (PR = 0.58). The same situation occurred in girls from urban areas (PR = 0.51), but in rural areas there was an increased risk among girls (PR = 1.86). Per capita monthly income was associated with the risk of OW/O among boys in both regions. Programs to prevent OW/O should incorporate nutritional reeducation and encourage physical exercise, besides considering socioeconomic, cultural, and regional differences and the location of the target population.     

Depression, overweight and perceived body image among adolescents living in suburban areas

The aim of the article is to explore the association between depression and overweight among adolescents living in suburban areas and to verify to what extend the acceptance of body image may be a mediating factor. The study was conducted on the sample of 322 students (girls--51.2%, boys--48.8%) aged 16 - 19 years attending two senior high schools in Radzymin. Overweight was measured by Body Mass Index (BMI) and according to WHO recommendations the following categories were established: BMI < 20--underweight, 20 < BMI < 25--normal weight, BMI > 25--overweight or obese. A question about the acceptance of body image contained four possible answers: I'm okay/I do not weight properly, but I accept myself/I do not accept myself, I'm too thin/I do not accept myself, I'm to thick. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used for measure the level of depression. Unexpectedly, our investigations found association between depression and overweight only for boys. In turn, the girls, as expected, lower accepted their body image than boys. Moreover a considerable percents of girls whose weight was normal, and even those with underweight, perceived themselves as thick. The association between acceptance of body image and depression was confirmed only for girls. Our study suggests that the lack of acceptance of body image, especially by girls, to greater extend causes the appearance of depression than real overweight.     

Fiber intake, constipation, and overweight among adolescents living in Sao Paulo City

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the dietary fiber intake of adolescents in the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo city and any association between low dietary fiber intake with constipation and overweight. METHODS: In total, 716 adolescents were included within the study, of whom 314 attended private school and 402 attended public school. Evaluation of fiber intake was based on a 24-h daily intake record and a frequency questionnaire. Data concerning bowel movements and height and weight measurements were also taken. RESULTS: Fiber consumption, below that recommended ("age + 5"), was found in 61.8% and 41.4% (P = 0.000) of girls attending private and public schools, respectively, and in 44.1% and 25.6% of boys (P = 0.001). Adolescents who did not eat beans on more than 4 d/wk presented a higher risk of fiber intake below that recommended (age + 5; P < 0.05), with odds ratios ranging from 10.4 to 14.2 according gender and private or public schooling. Dietary fiber intake below that recommended was associated with a greater risk (P < 0.05) toward overweight in students attending public schooling (odds ratios 2.84 and 2.95 for males and females, respectively). Low dietary fiber intake was not associated with constipation. CONCLUSION: Intake of beans more than four times per week is associated with the appropriate level of fiber intake. Dietary fiber intake below the recommendation was not associated with constipation but was associated with being overweight among those students attending public schooling.     

Prevalence and determinants of obesity and overweight among reproductive age women living in the semi-arid region of Brazil

The study estimated the prevalence and determinants of overweight and obesity in women of reproductive age in the Semi-Arid Region of Brazil. In the cluster sampling of 8,000 households of the state of Ceará, 6,845 women were surveyed. Overweight and obesity were measured by the body mass index and risk factors identified by multivariate analysis. The prevalences of overweight and obesity were 32.6% and 16.1%, respectively. After adjusted analysis, obesity was positively associated with age>30 years (PR=1.55), marital status, married (PR=1.36), elementary education (PR=1.40), age at menarche<12 years (OR=1.59), having >1 child (PR=1.65) and contraceptive use (PR=1.31). Specific health and nutritional conditions were identified as highly associated to morbid obesity: hypertension (PR=3.11), diabetes (PR=2.08), dissatisfaction with body image (PR=4.26) and procedures for weight loss (PR=2.73). The study concluded that overweight and obesity are highly prevalent in the Semi-Arid Region of Brazil. Education was the only socioeconomic determinant considered as amenable to change. The reproductive risk factors identified enforce the need to mobilize the services of prenatal and postpartum care and family planning to prevent and control obesity.     

Sensitivity and specificity of overweight classification of adolescents,Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence, sensitivity and specificity of two risk classifications of obesity based on the body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Five-hundred and two adolescents, aged 12-18 years, participants of a health and nutrition survey conducted in 1996 in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were evaluated. The study variables included: weight, stature, BMI, and subscapular skinfold, according to sex and age. The BMI classifications were compared to a fatness classification based on the 90th percentile of subscapular skinfold thickness in American adolescents. RESULTS: The prevalence of risk of obesity was higher when using the subscapular skinfold measurement (p<0.0001), compared to both BMI-based classifications, which showed similar values. Specificity was higher than sensitivity in both BMI-based classifications. The balance between sensitivity and specificity was close to the 70thBMI percentile for boys and girls below 14 years old. For boys older than 15 the cutoff value was the 50th percentile. CONCLUSION: Both BMI-based classifications were more suitable to identify adolescents without obesity, and their sensitivities were too low for tracking risk of obesity.     

Factors associated with sexual and reproductive behavior among adolescents from the Northeast and Southeast regions of Brazil

This article calls attention to factors associated with sexual and reproductive behavior among adolescents from the Northeast and Southeast regions of Brazil. The analyses focus on three dimensions of this process: sexual initiation, use of contraceptives in the first sexual relationship, and fertility. Hierarchical models are implemented, because adolescents selected from the same community are more likely to have similar sexual and reproductive behavior than those from different communities. Level of schooling was the most important risk factor in the three analyses. Girls with 5 or more years of schooling were less likely to have their first sexual relationship during adolescence and more likely to use contraceptive methods in this relationship, besides demonstrating less risk of having children than their counterparts with less than 5 years of schooling.     

Prevalence and associated factors of overweight among Mexican-American adolescents

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and associated factors among Mexican-American adolescents, because obesity is more common among this ethnic group. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002 data were analyzed for Mexican-American adolescents aged 12 to 19 years (n=4,109). Weight status was determined by sex-specific body mass index for age, and evaluated in relationship to demographic characteristics, participation in physical activities, dietary intake, and general health status. Overall, 40.9% of the adolescents were overweight and 22.9% were obese. Males had a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity than females. Factors associated with overweight included being from a low-income family, perceiving oneself as less physically active compared to others of the same age, having a history of asthma, and having considerably higher blood pressure. However, overweight adolescents reported a substantially lower intake for calories and all evaluated nutrients compared to nonoverweight adolescents. It is important to be aware of the high prevalence of overweight among Mexican-American adolescents, as chronic diseases such as hypertension start early among overweight adolescents. Culturally appropriate programs should be created for this ethnic group aimed at obesity prevention and weight management, including nutrition education and individual dietary counseling, with the ultimate goal of lifelong healthful eating habits.     

Trends of overweight and obesity among children in Tijuana, Mexico

The objectives of this study were to compare the trends of obesity from 2001-02 to 2006-07 in school children of Tijuana, Mexico and to investigate the relationship with the child's gender and type of school attended. Bietapic random sample was selected by cluster of schools and groups. Results of the 1684 children from 6-14 years of age assessed showed an overall prevalence of obesity (> 95(th)) of 28%. An overall increase of overweight and obesity of 7-percentage points (p=0.0003), from 41 to 48%, being higher among boys and younger girls. Prevalence of obesity was higher among boys and children from private schools.     

Food habits,physical activity and overweight among adolescents

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity prevalence is increasing worldwide. Not only adults but also children and adolescents are involved. There are no recent data from French West Indies, where situation is believed to be worrying. Hence, the objective of the study was to provide information on the situation of adolescents, describing their nutritional status, food consumption and physical activity habits. METHODS: A sample of adolescents of both sexes, 14 to 15 years of age, was drawn among the 45 secondary schools of the Island. Of 993 adolescents drawn, 715 participated in the study which consisted in a questionnaire on their food and physical activity habits and anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: As a whole these adolescents displayed a greater growth rate than the WHO reference population. About 20% presented a body mass index (BMI) over the chosen thresholds for overweight and obesity. They were slightly more mature than the French Continental children (i. e. girls experienced menarche at 11.9 +/- 1.0 years of age versus 13 years in Metropolitan France). Their food habits were similar in structure and composition, to those of westernised countries, while retaining some features of the "Creole culture". Foods rich in animal fats and carbohydrates were prevailing. Girls ate less dairy products than boys (53% of the adolescent girls drank milk during breakfast against 64% of the boys). Almost every boy had a sport activity out of school, but girls were less often enrolled in sports. Sport activity decreased with age. There were no clear differences in physical activity levels between adolescents with high BMI or low BMI. CONCLUSIONS: There is an excess of overweight and obesity in this adolescent population. These conditions may have appeared soon during childhood and be hardly modified latter. Physical activity level would have a stronger impact on fatness during childhood than at adolescence. Hence, a special attention should be brought early to the nutritional status, food and physical activity habits of young children, given the risks to develop degenerative diseases when adults.     

2009-2018年上海市6~17岁儿童青少年超重和肥胖的变化趋势

目的 分析2009-2018年上海市6~17岁儿童青少年超重和肥胖的变化趋势,为预防和控制儿童青少年超重肥胖提供依据。方法 采用2009-2018年上海市连续10年的学生常见病监测项目横断面调查数据,选取资料完整的523 112名6~17岁儿童青少年作为研究对象。超重和肥胖判定标准采用2007年世界卫生组织(WHO)制定的儿童青少年生长参照标准(WHO标准)。采用多元线性回归模型分析儿童青少年体重指数变化趋势,Logistic回归模型分析超重和肥胖率的变化趋势。结果 2018年上海市6~17岁儿童青少年超重和肥胖总体检出率分别为19.37%、10.78%,男生分别为22.33%、16.27%,女生分别为16.31%、5.13%,超重和肥胖检出率男生均高于女生(超重:χ²=253.26,P<0.001;肥胖:χ²=1 404.73,P<0.001)。调整年龄、性别后,超重和肥胖率分别由2009年的16.94%、9.22%增加至2018年的19.37%、10.78%(P_趋势<0.001)。结论 2009-2018年上海市6~17岁儿童青少年体重指数、超重和肥胖率均呈增加趋势,增长速度放缓,但仍处于流行状态。     

Prevalence of overweight among inner city Hispanic-American children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE: National surveys have pointed to a particularly high risk of pediatric overweight among U.S. Hispanics. However, the data have been primarily from the Mexican-American community. We studied the prevalence of overweight and clinical comorbidities in children and youth of predominantly El Salvadoran ancestry. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A sample of 309 Hispanic youth, 6-18 years was surveyed from two inner city Washington, DC, clinics. BMI; triceps skinfold (TSF) and subscapular skinfold thickness (SSSF); bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA); and blood pressure measures were obtained, along with information regarding physical activity, sedentary behavior, dietary history, family, and personal medical history. RESULTS: Thirty-eight percent were overweight (BMI > or = 95th percentile) and 22% at risk for overweight (BMI 85-94th percentile). Thirty-four percent had TSF > or = 90th percentile and 29% had SSSF > or = 90th percentile. Fifty-one percent of males and 70% of females had body fat > 30%. Compared to their nonoverweight counterparts, overweight youth had significantly higher systolic blood pressure (111.4 +/- 1.3 vs. 104.5 +/- 0.9 mm Hg, p < 0.0001). Among children younger than 11 years, overweight was associated with onset of adrenarche (23% vs. 10%, p = 0.01). Participation in one or more sports teams was negatively correlated with overweight) p = 0.04). DISCUSSION: The prevalence of overweight and at risk for overweight in this sample was twice the national average for U.S. children and 1.7 times greater than that of Mexican-American children in national surveys. Overweight was associated with advanced pubertal development, high body fat, elevated blood pressure, and decreased sports participation.     

Physical activity and overweight among adolescents on the Texas-Mexico border.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate differences in associations between physical activity and overweight for students in two adjacent areas on the border between Mexico and the United States of America: students in the city of Matamoros, Mexico, and Mexican-American students in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) area of southern Texas. Since the extremely high prevalence of overweight among Mexican-American adolescents is well-recognized, we wanted to determine whether overweight has become a problem among Mexican adolescents as well. METHODS: Students from 6 schools (n = 653), representing 11% of the ninth-grade students in Matamoros during 2002-2003, and students from 13 high schools (n = 4,736), representing 22% of the ninth-grade students in the LRGV during 2000-2001, completed questionnaires. Polytomous logistic regression was performed to estimate the risk of being at risk for overweight (> or = 85th percentile to < 95th percentile of body mass index (BMI) for age and sex) and the risk of being overweight (> or = 95th percentile of BMI-for-age and sex) versus normal weight that were associated with measures of physical activity. For simplicity, the classification of normal weight also included underweight. RESULTS: A higher percentage of adolescents in the LRGV were at risk of overweight (17%) in comparison with adolescents from Matamoros (15%). The percentages of LRGV and Matamoros adolescents who were overweight were identical (17%). LRGV adolescent boys (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.77-0.98) who participated in team sports were less likely to be at or above the 85th percentile of BMI-for-age and sex. Although of borderline significance, Matamoros and LRGV adolescent boys who participated in physical education classes were less likely to be at risk for overweight. Among neither the Matamoros students nor the LRGV students were any of the various other physical activity categories or levels associated with being at risk for overweight or being overweight. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one-third of the students in both Matamoros and the LRGV are at risk for overweight or are overweight. Implementation of interventions on healthful dietary choices and participation in physical education classes and sports teams are essential for reducing the extremely high prevalence of overweight among students on both sides of the Texas/Mexico border.     

Evaluation of two classifications for overweight among Brazilian adolescents

A cross-sectional study carried out among 418 adolescents between ten and 19 years old at a private school in the city of S?o Paulo in 1998. The objective of the study was to evaluate the proposed thresholds for diagnosing overweight among Brazilian adolescents. The percentage body fat was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The cutoff points used for excess body fat were 25% for boys and 30% for girls. The body mass index was classified in accordance with Cole et al and with Conde & Monteiro. The Brazilian reference (Conde & Monteiro) presented higher sensitivity among younger girls (44.2% vs. 32.6%), older girls (18.9% vs. 17%) and older boys (83.3% vs. 50%). The Conde & Monteiro proposal presented higher positive and negative predictive values and provided higher-sensitivity predictions of excess body fat among the study population.     

浙江省儿童青少年超重肥胖流行现况

了解浙江省儿童青少年的超重和肥胖流行现况与特征,为进一步采取相应干预措施提供依据.方法 分层整群随机抽取浙江省11个地市小学一、三、五年级和初二、高二年级学生共33 256名,根据身高和体重计算体质量指数(BMI),应用中国肥胖问题工作组(WGOC)的“中国学龄儿童青少年超重、肥胖筛查体质量指数分类标准”判定超重和肥胖,进行流行病学描述性分析.结果 浙江省7 ~18岁儿童青少年超重检出率为10.6%,肥胖检出率为5.3%;男生超重和肥胖检出率(13.7%,6.8%)高于女生(7.4%,3.7%);小学生(12.3%,8.3%)和初中生(11.1%,5.1%)超重与肥胖检出率均高于高中生(8.7%,2.8%);经济发达地区儿童青少年的超重检出率和肥胖检出率(11.1%,5.6%)高于经济欠发达地区(10.3%,4.8%).结论 浙江省儿童青少年超重与肥胖的检出率超过全国水平.要重点关注男生、低年龄段学生和经济发达地区儿童青少年超重与肥胖的流行趋势,采取综合措施促进儿童青少年健康.     

Psychosocial and behavioral correlates of dieting among overweight and non-overweight adolescents

PurposeTo examine correlates of dieting behavior in overweight and non-overweight youth.MethodsData came from Project EAT (Eating Among Teens), a study of eating and weight-related attitudes, behaviors, and psychosocial variables among 4746 adolescents in public schools. Logistic regression was used to compare dieters and non-dieters, and to examine interactions of dieting and overweight status.ResultsApproximately one third (31.8%) of the sample was overweight. Dieting in the previous year was reported by 55.2% of girls and 25.9% of boys. Dieting was associated with similarly elevated rates of extreme weight control behaviors, body dissatisfaction, and depression in both the non-overweight and overweight groups for both boys and girls. Girls reporting dieting behavior in both the non-overweight and overweight groups had similarly elevated risk for cigarette use, alcohol use, and marijuana use.ConclusionsThe negative correlates of dieting are similarly common among teens of varying weight status. These data suggest that dieting may not be a preferred method of weight management, even for overweight adolescents. Regardless of weight status, dieting may be a marker for other unhealthy behaviors and depressed mood in adolescents.     

Association between neighborhood safety and overweight status among urban adolescents

Background  

Neighborhood safety may be an important social environmental determinant of overweight. We examined the relationship between perceived neighborhood safety and overweight status, and assessed the validity of reported neighborhood safety among a representative community sample of urban adolescents (who were racially and ethnically diverse).     

北京市2004年2-18岁儿童青少年超重和肥胖流行现状

目的分析北京市2～18岁儿童青少年超重和肥胖检出率水平及分布特征.方法利用2004年北京市儿童代谢综合征调查总样本中21 198名2～18岁人群的体重指数数据,分别采用中国（WGOC标准）、美国疾病预防控制中心（CDC 2000标准）和国际肥胖工作组（IOTF标准）推荐的儿童青少年超重和肥胖体重指数分类标准计算超重和肥胖检出率.结果北京市2～18岁儿童青少年合并超重（包括肥胖）检出率、肥胖检出率分别是18.6%和8.1%（CDC 2000标准）,17.4%和5.1%（IOTF标准）;根据WGOC计算的7～18岁合并超重检出率和肥胖检出率是20.9%和8.9%.学龄儿童（6～18岁）的合并超重率高于学龄前儿童（19.8%：14.8%,CDC 2000标准）;学龄儿童中,男性高于女性（26.7%：16.5%,WGOC标准）,城市高于农村（27.0%：15.9%,WGOC标准）;学龄前儿童城乡间差异无统计学意义.结论北京市有1/5的儿童青少年超重或肥胖,居国内最高水平.儿童青少年肥胖已经成为北京市一个重要公共卫生问题,需要引起社会高度关注.