Los esfuerzos preventivos de las comunidades autónomas y la desigualdad socioeconómica en la obesidad o el sobrepeso infantil / The preventive efforts of the Spanish autonomous regions and socio-economic inequality in childhood obesity or overweight

Objetivo: Explorar las tendencias del sobrepeso y la obesidad infantil según la posición socioeconómica y en relación con el esfuerzo preventivo desarrollado por las comunidades autónomas. Método: Se trata de una serie de estudios transversales multinivel a partir de la información ofrecida por distintas olas de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud, específicamente las de 2003, 2006, 2011 y 2017. Se estimaron modelos de regresión logística jerárquica, con los individuos (nivel 1) anidados en la comunidad autónoma-periodo de estudio (nivel 2) y estos, a su vez, en las comunidades autónomas (nivel 3). Las principales variables independientes fueron el esfuerzo medio realizado por las comunidades autónomas en políticas de prevención del sobrepeso/obesidad infantil y el cambio en el esfuerzo en dichas políticas a lo largo de los periodos estudiados. Resultados: La probabilidad de obesidad o sobrepeso infantil se incrementa sustancialmente si el adulto entrevistado en el hogar también presenta obesidad o sobrepeso. El efecto conjunto de las políticas implementadas por las comunidades autónomas se asocia con una disminución significativa de la prevalencia solo para la población infantil que pertenece a clases sociales altas y medias (odds ratio[OR]: 0,89, intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 0,82-0,96, y OR: 0,93, IC95%: 0,88-0,97, respectivamente). Conclusiones: Las políticas implementadas por las comunidades autónomas parecen tener una capacidad limitada para conseguir reducciones significativas de la prevalencia de sobrepeso y de obesidad infantil. Los resultados sugieren que serían los grupos de clase media y alta los que parecen obtener mayores beneficios de estas políticas, lo cual podría contribuir indirectamente a aumentar las desigualdades en la obesidad infantil. (AU)

Objective: To explore trends in childhood overweight/obesity according to socio-economic status and in relation to the preventive effort developed by the Spanish autonomous regions. Method: A series of multilevel cross-sectional studies were conducted using data from different waves of the Spanish National Health Survey, namely 2003, 2006, 2011 and 2017. Hierarchical logistic regression models were estimated, with individuals (level 1) nested within the region-period of study (level 2) and these, in turn, within the region (level 3). The main independent variables were the average effort made by the Spanish autonomous regions in child overweight-obesity prevention policies and the change in the effort made in these policies over the periods studied. Results: The likelihood of obesity and/or overweight increases substantially if the adult respondent in the household is also obese or overweight. The joint effect of the policies implemented by the autonomous regions is associated with a significant decrease in prevalence only for children belonging to high and middle social classes (odds ratio [OR]: 0.89, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 0.82-0.96, and OR: 0.93, 95%CI: 0.88-0.97, respectively). Conclusions: The policies implemented by the Spanish autonomous regions seem to have a limited capacity to achieve significant reductions in the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity. The results suggest that it is the middle and upper-middle class groups that seem to benefit most from these policies, which could indirectly contribute to increasing inequalities in childhood obesity. (AU)

[The preventive efforts of the Spanish autonomous regions and socio-economic inequality in childhood obesity or overweight]. / Los esfuerzos preventivos de las comunidades autónomas y la desigualdad socioeconómica en la obesidad o el sobrepeso infantil.

OBJECTIVE: To explore trends in childhood overweight/obesity according to socio-economic status and in relation to the preventive effort developed by the Spanish autonomous regions. METHOD: A series of multilevel cross-sectional studies were conducted using data from different waves of the Spanish National Health Survey, namely 2003, 2006, 2011 and 2017. Hierarchical logistic regression models were estimated, with individuals (level 1) nested within the region-period of study (level 2) and these, in turn, within the region (level 3). The main independent variables were the average effort made by the Spanish autonomous regions in child overweight-obesity prevention policies and the change in the effort made in these policies over the periods studied. RESULTS: The likelihood of obesity and/or overweight increases substantially if the adult respondent in the household is also obese or overweight. The joint effect of the policies implemented by the autonomous regions is associated with a significant decrease in prevalence only for children belonging to high and middle social classes (odds ratio [OR]: 0.89, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 0.82-0.96, and OR: 0.93, 95%CI: 0.88-0.97, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The policies implemented by the Spanish autonomous regions seem to have a limited capacity to achieve significant reductions in the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity. The results suggest that it is the middle and upper-middle class groups that seem to benefit most from these policies, which could indirectly contribute to increasing inequalities in childhood obesity.

Assessment study of the nutritional status, eating habits and physical activity of the schooled population of Centelles, Hostalets de Balenyà and Sant Martí de Centelles (ALIN 2014 Study). / Estudio de la valoración del estado nutricional y los hábitos alimentarios y de actividad física de la población escolarizada de Centelles, Hostalets de Balenyà y Sant Martí de Centelles (Estudio ALIN 2014).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Malnourishment can be caused by either a lack of food or an excess of low-nutrient foods. Due to several factors, this predisposes children to academic failure. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of school children with eating problems, study their nutrition level, food quality in the diet, and level of physical activity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved the school children between 3 months and 16.5 years of age in the municipalities of Centelles, Hostalets de Balenyà and Sant Martí de Centelles. Personal, age, nutrition and physical activity data were collected for the descriptive and bivariate analyses. RESULTS: A total of 1,374 children were included, of which 122 were under 3 years of age (8.9%). Obesity was recorded in 2.5%, while 17.2, 15.6 and 64.8% were overweight, underweight and of normal weight, respectively. The remaining 1,252 children were over 3 years of age (91.1%), and obesity was recorded in 8.1%, while 26.1, 11.0 and 62.9% were overweight, underweight and of normal weight, respectively. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet decreased significantly with increasing age. The maintenance of body weight was significantly correlated to the consumption of carbohydrates for breakfast before going to school, daily fruit consumption, and not having a need for care from the social services. The differences in physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle proved significant between males and females. CONCLUSION: Being underweight and overweight are factors related to eating habits and dependency upon the social services.

Childhood Excess Weight in Spain From 2006 to 2012. Determinants and Parental Misperception.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Due to the high prevalence of childhood obesity in Spain, we analyzed changes in its prevalence from 2006 to 2007 and from 2011 to 2012, as well as diet, sleep, and sedentary habits in 5- to 14-year-olds and parental misperceptions about their children's excess weight. METHODS: The sample was from the Spanish National Health Surveys for 2006 to 2007 (n=5590) and for 2011 to 2012 (n=3601). Data were collected by trained personnel through telephone interviews with parents/guardians. Weight and height were self-reported and the International Obesity Task Force cutpoints were used to define overweight and obesity. RESULTS: The prevalence of childhood excess weight was 30.1% from 2006 to 2007 and 29.7% from 2011 to 2012, while that of childhood obesity was 9.6% and 9%, respectively. Parental misperception of childhood excess weight increased from 60.8% to 71.4% (P<.001). Daily consumption of vegetables increased by 7.8%, while that of soft drinks and snacks decreased. This decrease was greatest in children from families with a low socioeconomic status, who also decreased their consumption of sweets and fast food. Adherence to sleep recommendations decreased by 5%, but adherence to recommended sedentary time did not change. CONCLUSIONS: High childhood overweight and obesity rates remained stable in Spain from 2006 to 2007 and from 2011 to 2012, but there was an increase in parental misperception of childhood excess weight. Despite reduced consumption of soft drinks and snacks, there was low adherence to dietary recommendations, hours of sleep, and sedentary habits.

[Prevalence of overweight and obesity in 9 and 10 year-old children in the Principality of Asturias: evaluation bias by parents]. / Prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en los niños de 9 y 10 años del Principado de Asturias: el sesgo de la valoración de los padres.

INTRODUCTION: Overweight and obesity in children is a very important issue in the field of health. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in pre-adolescent children aged 9 to 10 years old in the Principality of Asturias, and to assess the reliability of the measurements of weight and height reported by parents. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A sample of 291 subjects, 142 girls and 149 boys were chosen at random from the network of schools in the Principality of Asturias. They were weighed and measured individually at the school. All participants brought the signed consent of their parents, which also contained the anthropometric measurements of they made of their children. RESULTS: The results showed that 28.17% of children aged 9 and 10 years old in the Principality of Asturias were overweight and 15.80% obese. This means that 44% of the sample had some degree of overweight. Data reported by parents underestimated the weight of both the boys and girls by an average of 2.07kg. CONCLUSIONS: The high percentage of excess weight observed is due to the categorisation system used (IOFT) and the age of the sample. The results call into question the research with data indirectly recorded data.

Prevalência e fatores associados à desnutrição e ao excesso de peso em menores de cinco anos nos seis maiores municípios do Maranhão / Prevalence and factors associated to malnutrition and excess weight among under five year-olds in the six largest cities of Maranhão

Prevalências de desnutrição e excesso de peso em menores de cinco anos e sua associação com fatores socioeconômicos, sanitários e demográficos foram estimadas nos seis maiores municípios do Maranhão, em 2006/2007. Por meio de inquérito domiciliar por amostragem 1.214 crianças menores de cinco anos foram aleatoriamente selecionadas. Foi utilizada amostragem por conglomerados em dois estágios, representativa dos seis municípios maranhenses com mais de cem mil habitantes. Foram aplicados questionários padronizados para as mães ou responsáveis pelas crianças e aferidos peso e estatura. Para classificação da desnutrição foram utilizados os pontos de corte < - 2 escores z pelos indicadores peso para idade, peso para estatura e estatura para idade. Para a classificação do excesso de peso foram considerados > +2 escores z, de acordo com o indicador peso para estatura, seguindo recomendações da Organização Mundial da Saúde. Pelo índice peso para idade a prevalência de desnutrição foi de 4,5%, pelo índice estatura para idade 8,5% estavam com desnutrição pregressa e pelo índice peso para estatura 3,9% encontravam-se com desnutrição atual, enquanto 6,7% apresentavam excesso de peso. Crianças de famílias chefiadas por mulheres apresentaram menores prevalências de desnutrição (Razão de Prevalências = 0,4). Variáveis socioeconômicas não estiveram associadas à desnutrição ou ao excesso de peso. Recebimento de benefício do programa bolsa família não foi associado à desnutrição ou excesso de peso. A prevalência de desnutrição infantil foi baixa, mas o excesso de peso foi mais prevalente do que a desnutrição. Não foi detectada desigualdade social em relação à desnutrição em crianças menores de cinco anos, sugerindo evolução favorável no sentido de maior equidade.

Prevalences of malnutrition and overweight among children under five years and its association with socioeconomic, demographic and health indicators were estimated for the six largest municipalities of Maranhão, in 2006/2007. By means of a household survey, a sample of 1214 children under five years of age was randomly selected. Two-stage cluster sampling was used, representing the six municipalities of Maranhão with over one hundred thousand inhabitants. Standardized questionnaire was administered to mothers or guardians and trained personnel measured weight and height or length. For classification of malnutrition cutoff points of <-2z scores for weight-for-age, weight-for-length/height and length/height-for-age were used. Overweight was considered when weight for heithg was > +2 z score, following World Health Organization guidelines. By weight-for-age malnutrition prevalence was 4.5, by length/height-for-age 8.5% were stunted and by the weight-for-length/height 3.9% were malnourished (wasting), while 6.7% were overweight. Children of families headed by women had lower prevalence of malnutrition (prevalence ratio=0.4). Socioeconomic variables were not associated with malnutrition or overweight. Participation in money transfer programs from the government was not associated with malnutrition or overweight. The prevalence of malnutrition was low, but being overweight was more prevalent than malnutrition. Social inequality was not detected in relation to malnutrition in children under five years of age, suggesting a favorable trend towards greater equity.