Family and school determinants of overweight in 13-year-old Portuguese adolescents

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2007

Authors

Ramos E (Author) FMUP; Barros H (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Acta Paediatrica

Vol. 96

Pages: 281-286

ISSN: 0803-5253

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 80 Citations

Scopus - 87 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-BVV

DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2007.00107.x

Abstract (EN): Aims: To identify familial and school determinants of overweight in 13-year-old adolescents. Methods: All 27 public and 19 (79%) private schools allowed to contact age eligible students, 77.5% accepting to participate (1116 girls, 1045 boys). Self-administered questionnaires were completed and physical examination performed, including weight and height measurements. Overweight (> 95th percentile) and at risk of overweight (85th-95th) were defined using CDC standards. Its determinants were identified using logistic regression models, entering parents' education and all variables significantly associated in crude analysis. Results: Prevalence of overweight (10.2%) and at risk of overweight (16.5%) was not influenced by type of school, vending machines and number of school canteen meals. In girls, the prevalence of body mass index (BMI) > 85th percentile increased significantly with decreasing age at menarche (45.7% if menstruating before 11-year and 13.2% when pre-menarche), and increasing parental BMI or time spent on sedentary activities. In multivariate analysis, age at menarche and increasing parental BMI remained significant risks in girls. In boys, besides parental BMI, ever smoking, sleeping < 9 h and sedentary leisure activities were significant determinants. Conclusions: Food offered at school had no significant impact on adolescents overweight, which was mainly dependent on parental anthropometrics and leisure time activities.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6