Analysis of obesity in children from 6 to 12 years of Albacete during the COVID19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction. According to the World Health Organization, childhood obesity is one of the most serious worldwide public health problems of the 21st century. In Spain, it is the most frequent nutritional disorder among children from 5 to 15 years old, with a prevalence of 34.1%.

Objetives. To analyze in a sample of 50 children with obesity, its main characteristics and its possible association with: family history of obesity, feeding with breastfeeding, accompanying pathologies, presence of weekly physical activity, hours of rest per day, time dedicated to video games, mobiles and the like and type of power.

Results. The variables associated with obesity were: being an only child (p= 0.011); Older mothers (p = 0.025); Absence of breastfeeding in the first months of life (p = 0.008); Sleep fewer hours (p = 0.045); Do not consume vegetables or greens (p = 0.019), or fruit (p = 0.033); Girls multiply by 2,611 the consumption of vegetables and the older the greater the consumption of fruit (p = 0.011); 74% ate between meals (snacks). Being a woman and having more than 6 years multiplied by 1,934 and by 12, respectively, the presence of pecking. The older the age, the more pecking (p < 0.001).

Conclusions. It is evident that family overweight, without breastfeeding in the first months of life, sleeping fewer hours than recommended for the child's age, and a diet poor in vegetables, fruit and vegetables, pecking between meals, play an important role in childhood obesity.