ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the association between lifestyle-related behavior patterns and weight status indicators in schoolchildren. METHODS: Cross-sectional study includes nationally representative sample of Portuguese school children (69yearsold;n= 10,258). Weight status was assessed using the body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Principal component analysis was used to identify lifestyle-related behavior patterns. Multiple linear regression models were used to estimate the association between behavior patterns, BMI, and WC.RESULTS: Six lifestyle-related behavior patterns were identified: pattern 1: consuming iced tea and soft drinks≥2 times/week, having a television (TV) in the bedroom, watching TV≥2 h/day, and consuming <2 portions of fruits/day; pattern 2: parents and children remaining physically inactive during leisure time; pattern 3: consuming≤1 portion of vegetables and milk/day; pattern 4: having parents with excess weight; pattern 5: consuming≤3daily meals and skipping breakfast; and pattern 6: not participating in physical education classes. After the adjustment, all of the patterns were associated with increased BMIz-score (P≤0.02) and WC (P≤0.03).CONCLUSIONS: Lifestyle-related behavior patterns were associated with an increased risk of excess weight and the central distribution of body fat. Taking a public health perspective toward preventing childhood obesity, special attention should be given to identify subgroups with simultaneous occurrence of multiple risk behaviors, which is useful for planning prevention programs.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child , Feeding Behavior , Pediatric Obesity , Health Promotion , Risk Reduction BehaviorABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Skipping meals, especially breakfast, is related to an increase in adiposity indicators, and this behavior is related to metabolic changes that predispose to the development of chronic diseases, recognized as major causes of death worldwide. The objective of the present paper was estimated the association between irregular breakfast habits with adiposity indices in schoolchildren and other lifestyle factors. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 20092010, including schoolchildren (n=10,243) between 6 and 9 years old (51.3 % girls) from 18 districts of mainland Portugal. Breakfast habits were as certained by asking a yes/no question ("Does your child eat breakfast regularly?"). An index estimated by performing principal component analysis was used to assess body adiposity from three different adiposity indicators (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and the triceps, subscapular, and supra iliac skinfolds (used to estimate body fat percentage (BFP))). Multivariate logistic regression and multiple linear regression models were used to estimate the association of irregular breakfast habits with anthropometric indicators (BMI, BMI z score, WC, BFP, and adiposity index) and with children's and parents' lifestyle and socioeconomic characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 3.5 % of the children did not have breakfast regularly (girls 3.9 %; boys 3.1 %; P= 0.02). Among boys, irregular breakfast habits were associated with lower fathers' education level, television time≥2 h/day, and soft drink consumption≥2 times/week. For girls, irregular breakfast habits were associated with lower mothers' education level and physical inactivity, soft drink consumption≥2 times/week, and <1 portion of milk/day. Multivariate linear models revealed a positive association between irregular breakfast habits with increased adiposity indicators among boys (BMI (kg/m2):ß= 1.33; BMI z score:ß= 0.48; WC (cm):ß= 2.00; BFP (%):ß= 2.20; adiposity index:ß= 0.37;P< 0.01 for all). No significant association was found for girls. CONCLUSIONS: Irregular breakfast habits were positively associated with boys' increased global adiposity and were significantly affected by children's and parents' lifestyle-related behaviors.