Sociocultural differences in the development of obesity in adolescents in Murcia.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity presents alarming numbers in our country, being even higher in the population of immigrant origin. The main objective was to analyse the excess weight numbers both in native adolescents and in those children of immigrants and to determine the ethnic influence on lifestyle habits that could condition these differences in weight overload. METHODS: Adolescents from 1st year of Obligatory Secondary Education (E.S.O.) participated; somatometry was determined and classified according to BMI (with WHO references) and parental origin. Parents completed the survey on healthy habits (ENHASA). An analysis of variance was performed for each of the 4 dimensions of the questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 416 adolescents participated (12.8±0.62 years). Excess weight was detected in 41.2% of the participants, with significant differences between groups (p 0.018): 36.7% in Spanish, 42.9% in North Africa and 58.2% in South America. The ANOVA analysis showed differences in the section "physical activity" (p 0.003), highlighting the maximum disparity in the performance of extracurricular sports activities, with a lower score in both non-native groups. CONCLUSION: We found significant differences according to ethnic origin in the number of overweight children and the amount of physical activity they do; South American adolescents are the most sedentary. We must design interventions that guarantee the access of all adolescents to sports activities to prevent the development of obesity.

Importancia y rendimiento de los hábitos implicados en el desarrollo de exceso de peso según género / Importance and performance of habits involved in the development of excess weight according to gender

Introducción: la obesidad afecta cada vez más a los adolescentes. La clave de la prevención sigue siendo el control de los factores de riesgo modificables. El objetivo fue realizar un análisis mediante mapas de importancia-rendimiento de las principales conductas que condicionan la aparición de exceso de peso en adolescentes en función del género, una técnica estadística que representa gráficamente la importancia y el rendimiento de cada uno de los factores involucrados en el desarrollo del exceso de peso. Material y métodos: se administró un cuestionario sobre hábitos saludables (ENHASA) a padres de adolescentes de 12-14 años de Murcia (España). Posteriormente, fueron clasificados según estado ponderal siguiendo los criterios de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Se realizaron un análisis multivariante y mapas de importancia-rendimiento según género. Resultados: participaron 416 adolescentes, detectándose un 40,6% de exceso de peso, sin diferencias significativas por género. El análisis mostró un R2 de 0,123 en adolescentes hombres y de 0,156 en adolescentes mujeres. Se reveló la falta de actividad física como el factor más importante para el desarrollo de exceso de peso en los adolescentes hombres, aunque los hábitos con mayor capacidad de mejora en ellos fueron los relacionados con el uso de televisión y horas de pantalla. En las adolescentes mujeres, lo más condicionante fue el ambiente socioescolar, siendo también los hábitos con menor rendimiento los relacionados con el uso de pantallas. Conclusiones: existen diferencias de género en los hábitos que condicionan el exceso de peso. Se debería tener en cuenta una perspectiva de género a la hora de diseñar nuevas estrategias de prevención (AU)

Introduction: obesity affects more adolescents every day. The key to prevention remains the control of modifiable risk factors. The objective of the work was to carry out an analysis using importance-performance maps of the main behaviors that condition the appearance of excess weight in adolescents according to gender. An statistical technique that draws on a map the importance and performance of each of the risk factors involved in the development of excess weight.Material and methods: we collected information from 416 adolescents between 12 and 14 years of age in Murcia (Spain) using the ENHASA healthy habits questionnaire. Later, we determined their somatometry and they were classified following the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO). A multivariate analysis and importance-performance maps according to gender were performed.Results: 416 adolescents participated. We obtained 40,6% excess weight without significant differences by sex. The analysis showed an R2 of 0,123 in boys and 0,156 in girls. Lack of physical activity revealed as the most important factor for the development of excess weight in boys, although the habits with the greatest capacity for improvement were those related to the use of television and screen time. In girls, the most determining dimension was the socio-school environment; and the habits with the lowest performance were also those related to the use of screens.Conclusions: there are gender differences in the habits that determine overweight and obesity. It is important to take gender perspective into account when designing new more efficient prevention. (AU)

The Role of Physical Education in Preventing Unhealthy Lifestyles in Immigrant Adolescents.

In recent years, migratory phenomena have changed the composition of Spanish society. There are many studies that explore the healthy habits of young adolescents, but few focus on young immigrants. The purpose of this study is to examine the causal relationships between certain factors that influence the health of immigrant youth and sports. The sample consisted of 173 students enrolled in secondary education in the city of Cuenca. The structural model confirms the relationship between the latent variables and sports. Specifically, we obtained a positive influence of an active lifestyle (regular physical activity and exercise) and a negative influence for the remaining variables (alcohol consumption, unhealthy foods, self-medication and tobacco consumption in the family). Physical education should promote healthy lifestyles; greater coordination between physical education and other subjects involved in education and the promotion of health are necessary because we consider that this task is not exclusive to physical education.

Gender differences in the development of childhood obesity in young teenagers in Murcia, Spain.

BACKGROUND: The number of overweight children is increasing at an alarming rate. This issue requires effective action plans, as childhood obesity has become a problem in which addressing environmental factors is decisive. Significant differences have also been shown in lifestyle habits that determine overweight based on sex. This study therefore aimed to examine these risk factors according to sex. METHODS: The sample included first-year high school students from Murcia, Spain. Information was collected through the "Questionnaire on Healthy Habits in Adolescents," validated for this age range, and the weight, height, and waist circumference of the participants were obtained. Data were analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modeling to determine which modifiable risk factors promoted the appearance of excess weight and in what magnitude. RESULTS: A total of 421 students participated in the study, and 40.6% of overweight patients were detected according to their body mass index. No differences were found between the sexes and weights. The environment and the use of new technologies that do not involve sitting were significant only in girls (P < 0.05). Conversely, physical activity was significantly higher in boys (P < 0.05). Dietary factors and sedentary activities did not differ according to sex. CONCLUSIONS: The social and school environment, the use of new technologies (for girls), and physical activity (for boys) condition nutritional status. Identifying gender disparities in behaviors that involve health should be a priority for new prevention programs. Targeting young people's health from a gender perspective has considerable potential to reduce overweight problems in adulthood.

Causalidad entre factores de riesgo modificables y sobrepeso en adolescentes de 12-14 años / Relationship between modifiable risk factors and overweight in adolescents aged 12-14 years

Introducción: España se sitúa a la cabeza europea en exceso de peso (EP) debido en parte a los cambios sociales y ambientales de las últimas décadas. El objetivo del trabajo fue estudiar los factores de riesgo modificables que condicionan el EP. Material y métodos: Se autodiseñó una encuesta con los factores relacionados con la obesidad infantil, y se administró a los padres de adolescentes que cursaban primero de secundaria en 4 centros del Área V de Salud de Murcia. Se objetivó el peso, talla, perímetro abdominal e índice cintura-talla (ICT) de los alumnos, y se clasificaron en sobrepeso-obesidad. Se aplicó la técnica de reducción de dimensiones, generando factores que agruparon los ítems según materia, y se realizó una técnica multivalente para valorar la relación de dependencia entre las variables y el EP. Resultados: Fueron incluidos 421 alumnos, el 28 y el 35% con EP y obesidad abdominal, respectivamente. El análisis factorial agrupó los ítems en 4 factores: alimentación, actividad física, tecnologías y entorno, existiendo un subapartado de percepción corporal. El modelo de ecuaciones estructurales presentó un R2 de 0,440. Se obtuvo la mayor relación con el factor entorno (t 2,89) y percepción (t 14,61), seguido del uso de tecnologías. Además, reveló una relación directa respecto a la alimentación y la actividad física, aunque no significativa. Conclusiones: La percepción familiar y el ambiente social-escolar influyen de forma importante en el desarrollo del EP. Las intervenciones de educación para la salud con inclusión de padres y profesores probablemente sean las estrategias más inteligentes y rentables. (AU)

Introduction: Spain is the European leader in over weight (O-W), partly to the social and environmental changes of the last decades. The objective of the work was to study the modifiable risk factors that lead to O-W. Material and methods: A self-designed questionnaire with factors related to childhood obesity was produced, and was administered to the parents of adolescents who were attending first year of high school in four centres in Health Area V in Murcia. Weight, height, abdominal circumference and Waist-Height Index (WHI) of the students were measured, and classified as overweight-obesity. A reduction technique was applied, generating factors that grouped the items according to subject, as well as a multivalent technique to assess the dependency relationship between the variables, and the SB-OI. Results: Of the 421 students included, 28 and 35% had excess weight and abdominal obesity, respectively. The factor analysis grouped the items into 4 factors: diet, physical activity, technologies, and environment, with a subsection about body perception. The structural equation model presented an R2 of 0.440. The highest relationship was obtained with the environment factor (t 2.89), and perception (t 14.61), followed by the use of technologies. A direct relationship was also revealed regarding diet and physical activity, although not significant. Conclusions: Family perception and the social-school environment have an important influence on the development of the O-W. Health education interventions involving parents and teachers are probably the smartest and most cost-effective strategies.

Relationship between modifiable risk factors and overweight in adolescents aged 12-14 years.

INTRODUCTION: Spain is the European leader in overweight (O-W), partly to the social and environmental changes of the last decades. The objective of the work was to study the modifiable risk factors that lead to O-W. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A self-designed questionnaire with factors related to childhood obesity was produced, and was administered to the parents of adolescents who were attending first year of high school in four centres in Health Area V in Murcia. Weight, height, abdominal circumference and Waist-Height Index (WHI) of the students were measured, and classified as overweight-obesity. A reduction technique was applied, generating factors that grouped the items according to subject, as well as a multivalent technique to assess the dependency relationship between the variables, and the SB-OI. RESULTS: Of the 421 students included, 28% and 35% had excess weight and abdominal obesity, respectively. The factor analysis grouped the items into 4 factors: diet, physical activity, technologies, and environment, with a subsection about body perception. The structural equation model presented an R2 of 0.440. The highest relationship was obtained with the environment factor (t 2.89), and perception (t 14.61), followed by the use of technologies. A direct relationship was also revealed regarding diet and physical activity, although not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Family perception and the social-school environment have an important influence on the development of the O-W. Health education interventions involving parents and teachers are probably the smartest and most cost-effective strategies.

Diseño y validación de un cuestionario para estudiar hábitos saludables en adolescentes de 12-14 años / Design and validation of a questionnaire to study healthy habits among adolescents aged 12-14 years

Introducción. Los cambios sociales y culturales están alterando los hábitos de los jóvenes. Existen encuestas para medir dichas conductas, pero son de difícil interpretación. El objetivo del estudio fue diseñar y validar un cuestionario homogéneo para estudiar los hábitos en adolescentes de 12-14 años.Población y métodos. Estudio descriptivo y transversal para validación de un cuestionario. Los ítems fueron seleccionados tras revisión de la literatura y evaluación por expertos. El pretest fue administrado a una muestra piloto. Se determinó la fiabilidad mediante el alfa de Cronbach, y la validez del constructo, mediante un análisis factorial. Se aplicó a una muestra de padres de alumnos de cuatro centros de secundaria.Resultados. El coeficiente de Cronbach mostró valores próximos a 0,7 en tres de las cuatro subescalas y un valor global de 0,629, que demostró precisión y estabilidad. El análisis factorial determinó una validez de constructo adecuada, que mostró 4 factores: alimentación, actividad física, nuevas tecnologías y entorno. El cuestionario final tuvo 26 ítems y se aplicó a 421 participantes. Un 24,8 % presentaron hábitos deficientes, y un 3,4 %, muy poco saludables. Las adolescentes mostraron peores puntuaciones en actividad física (p < 0,001), y los adolescentes, en nuevas tecnologías, aunque no significativo.Conclusiones. Se obtuvo un instrumento válido, fiable y de fácil aplicación para evaluar conductas modificables en adolescentes. La inclusión de tecnologías y entorno adapta el cuestionario a los cambios actuales. Las dimensiones sobre uso de tecnologías y actividad física fueron las más deficitarias; las adolescentes se mostraron más sedentarias.

Introduction. Social and cultural changes are altering young people's habits. Some surveys measure such behaviors, but are hard to interpret. The objective of this study was to design and validate a homogeneous questionnaire to study habits among adolescents aged 12-14 years.Population and methods. Descriptive and cross-sectional study to validate a questionnaire. Items were selected after a bibliographic review and expert assessment. The pre-test was administered to a pilot sample. Reliability was established using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and construct validity, using a factor analysis. It was administered to a sample of parents of students from 4 secondary schools.Results. Cronbach's coefficient showed values close to 0.7 in 3/4 subscales and an overall value of 0.629, showing accuracy and stability. Factor analysis determined an adequate construct validity, with 4 factors: eating, physical activity, new technologies, and environment. The final questionnaire included 26 items and was administered to 421 participants. Poor habits were observed in 24.8 % and very unhealthy, in 3.4 %. Girls had poorer scores in physical activity (p < 0.001), and boys, in new technologies, although it was not significant.Conclusions. The final instrument was valid, reliable, and easily administered to assess modifiable behaviors in adolescents. The inclusion of technologies and environment helps to adapt the questionnaire to current changes. The greatest deficit was observed in the technology use and physical activity domains; and girls were more sedentary.

Design and validation of a questionnaire to study healthy habits among adolescents aged 12-14 years. / Diseño y validación de un cuestionario para estudiar hábitos saludables en adolescentes de 12-14 años.

INTRODUCTION: Social and cultural changes are altering young people's habits. Some surveys measure such behaviors, but are hard to interpret. The objective of this study was to design and validate a homogeneous questionnaire to study habits among adolescents aged 12-14 years. POPULATION AND METHODS: Descriptive and crosssectional study to validate a questionnaire. Items were selected after a bibliographic review and expert assessment. The pre-test was administered to a pilot sample. Reliability was established using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and construct validity, using a factor analysis. It was administered to a sample of parents of students from 4 secondary schools. RESULTS: Cronbach's coefficient showed values close to 0.7 in 3/4 subscales and an overall value of 0.629, showing accuracy and stability. Factor analysis determined an adequate construct validity, with 4 factors: eating, physical activity, new technologies, and environment. The final questionnaire included 26 items and was administered to 421 participants. Poor habits were observed in 24.8 % and very unhealthy, in 3.4 %. Girls had poorer scores in physical activity (p < 0.001), and boys, in new technologies, although it was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: The final instrument was valid, reliable, and easily administered to assess modifiable behaviors in adolescents. The inclusion of technologies and environment helps to adapt the questionnaire to current changes. The greatest deficit was observed in the technology use and physical activity domains; and girls were more sedentary.

Introducción. Los cambios sociales y culturales están alterando los hábitos de los jóvenes. Existen encuestas para medir dichas conductas, pero son de difícil interpretación. El objetivo del estudio fue diseñar y validar un cuestionario homogéneo para estudiar los hábitos en adolescentes de 12- 14 años. Población y métodos. Estudio descriptivo y transversal para validación de un cuestionario. Los ítems fueron seleccionados tras revisión de la literatura y evaluación por expertos. El pretest fue administrado a una muestra piloto. Se determinó la fiabilidad mediante el alfa de Cronbach, y la validez del constructo, mediante un análisis factorial. Se aplicó a una muestra de padres de alumnos de cuatro centros de secundaria. Resultados. El coeficiente de Cronbach mostró valores próximos a 0,7 en tres de las cuatro subescalas y un valor global de 0,629, que demostró precisión y estabilidad. El análisis factorial determinó una validez de constructo adecuada, que mostró 4 factores: alimentación, actividad física, nuevas tecnologías y entorno. El cuestionario final tuvo 26 ítems y se aplicó a 421 participantes. Un 24,8 % presentaron hábitos deficientes, y un 3,4 %, muy poco saludables. Las adolescentes mostraron peores puntuaciones en actividad física (p<0,001), y los adolescentes, en nuevas tecnologías, aunque no significativo. Conclusiones. Se obtuvo un instrumento válido, fiable y de fácil aplicación para evaluar conductas modificables en adolescentes. La inclusión de tecnologías y entorno adapta el cuestionario a los cambios actuales. Las dimensiones sobre uso de tecnologías y actividad física fueron las más deficitarias; las adolescentes se mostraron más sedentarias.