The prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity in preschool children in the Subcarpatian region – a pilot study

Aneta Weres
Email src
Joanna Baran
Edyta Łuszczki
ID
Katarzyna Dereń
ID
Email src
Artur Mazur
ID
Email src
Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
Medical Department, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszow, Poland
Institute of Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszów, Poland
Departament Paediatrics, Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, Rzeszow, Poland
Received: 19 February 2016 / Accepted: 1 June 2016 / Published: 30 June 2016

Abstract

Introduction. A severe epidemic of lifestyle diseases, including obesity, is now one of the biggest problems of modern medicine. This is a medical problem, social and economic. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of selected perinatal and environmental factors on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in preschool children located in the Subcarpathian region.

Material and methods. The survey was conducted in 2012, it included 200 children between the ages of 3 to 6 years (87 boys and 113 girls) from kindergartens. In children, weight loss was measured on an electronic balance and their height was also measured on medical scale. Obesity was determined on the basis of criteria developed by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF).

Results. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschool children was found in 3-year-olds (6.4%), 4-year olds (11.3%), 5-year-olds (17.7%), and 6-year-olds (20.7%).

Conclusion. Body weight and mother’s BMI are factors that significantly increase the risk of obesity among children aged 3–6. Additionally, in boys, a risk factor is also the birth body length.

 

Cite

Weres A, Baran J, Łuszczki E, Dereń K, Mazur A. The prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity in preschool children in the Subcarpatian region – a pilot study. Medical Review 2016; 14 (2): 148–161. doi: 10.15584/medrev.2016.2.2

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited