Original article
Prevalence of Child and Youth Obesity in Spain in 2012Prevalencia de obesidad infantil y juvenil en España en 2012

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rec.2012.10.012Get rights and content

Abstract

Introduction and objectives

Obesity is a major cardiovascular risk factor. In Spain, few studies have physically measured height and weight to estimate the magnitude of the problem. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of child and adolescent obesity in Spain in 2012.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional probability sample of 1018 children, representative of the Spanish population aged between 8 and 17 years old, with objectively measured height and weight, along with other sociodemographic variables. We calculated the prevalence of overweight and obesity according to the criteria of the World Health Organization, the International Obesity Task Force, and the enKid study.

Results

In the group aged 8 to 17 years old, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 26% and 12.6%, respectively; 4 in 10 young people were overweight or obese. Excess weight was found in 45% of the group aged 8 to 13 years and in 25.5% of that aged 14 to 17 years. This cardiovascular risk factor was associated with lower social class and lower educational level.

Conclusions

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents in Spain remains high (close to 40%), but has not increased in the last 12 years.

Resumen

Introducción y objetivos

La obesidad es un importante factor de riesgo cardiovascular. En España son pocos los estudios que hayan realizado una medición física del peso y la estatura para estimar la magnitud del problema. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la prevalencia de obesidad infantil y juvenil en España en 2012.

Métodos

Estudio transversal sobre una muestra probabilística, representativa de la población española, de 978 niños entre los 8 y los 17 años. Se midió objetivamente el peso y la estatura del menor, junto con otras variables sociodemográficas. Se calcularon las prevalencias de sobrepeso y obesidad siguiendo criterios de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, la International Obesity Task Force y el estudio español enKid.

Resultados

En el grupo de edad de 8 a 17 años, en 2012 la prevalencia de sobrepeso es del 26% y la de obesidad, del 12,6%; 4 de cada 10 jóvenes sufren exceso de peso. En el grupo comprendido entre los 8 y los 13 años, el exceso de peso supera el 45%, mientras que para el grupo de 14 a 17 años, el exceso de peso es del 25,5%. Este factor de riesgo cardiovascular aparece asociado a las clases sociales más desfavorecidas y con menos estudios.

Conclusiones

La prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad infantil y juvenil en España sigue siendo muy alta (cercana al 40%), pero no ha crecido en los últimos 12 años.

Section snippets

INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality and hospitalization in Spain and is a major contributor to health costs. Each year, this entity causes approximately 120 000 deaths and led to 5 million hospital stays in 2006 alone.1, 2, 3 At present, the fight against cardiovascular disease focuses particularly on the development of secondary and tertiary prevention measures. However, to date, efforts to address modifiable risk factors present in individuals over a long period, sometimes

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional, observational study in a population-based probability sample in which the study population was composed of children and adolescents of both sexes aged 8 to 17 years old residing in family homes in mainland Spain. All fieldwork was carried out between 10 April and 31 May, 2012.

A complex probabilities sample was used, in which the sample was stratified by multistage conglomerates with selection of the primary sampling units (municipality) and secondary units

RESULTS

Among the individuals in the study population contacted, a collaboration rate (individuals who completed the questionnaire and underwent the respective measurements) of 80% was achieved. The final sample consisted of 978 subjects.

The Table contains estimates of the prevalences of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents of both sexes according to the WHO, IOTF, and enKid study criteria, based on the Fundación F. Orbegozo tables for the entire study population as a function of the

DISCUSSION

A total of 38.6% of Spanish children and adolescents of both sexes aged between 8 and 17 years have excess weight according to the WHO criteria. Consequently, approximately 4 in 10 Spanish young people are exposed from very early stages to potentially modifable cardiovascular risk factors and to short- and long-term health effects. This problem is accentuated in subjects who were younger and in lower socioeconomic levels, contributing to increases in current and future health inequalities.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the Spanish population aged 8-17 years in 2012 is 26.0% and 12.6%, respectively, indicating that approximately 4 in 10 Spanish young people in these age brackets have the cardiovascular risk factor of excess weight.

The prevalence of excess weight is slightly higher in boys than in girls, and is much higher in the age bracket of 8-13 years. This risk factor is associated with lower social classes or educational levels, regardless of the criteria used

FUNDING

Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad del Reino de España (Acción Estratégica en Salud), Instituto de Salud Carlos III-FEDER. File PI10/02018.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

None declared.

References (49)

  • M. Almendro-Delia et al.

    Obesidad infantojuvenil. Un terreno abonado para la confusión

    Rev Esp Cardiol

    (2011)
  • Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad. Reino de España. Informe anual SNS 2010. Summary [accessed 2012...
  • Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Informe 2009 España [accessed 2012 Jul 23]. Available at:...
  • C.L. Ogden et al.

    Prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States, 1999-2004

    JAMA

    (2006)
  • F.B. Hu

    Obesity and cardiovascular disease

  • A. Zugasti Murillo et al.

    Obesidad, factor de riesgo cardiovascular

    Rev Esp Obes

    (2005)
  • I. Koupil et al.

    Social and early-life determinants of overweight and obesity in 18-year-old Swedish men

    Int J Obes (Lond)

    (2008)
  • S. Bertsen et al.

    Obese children playing towards an active lifestyle

    Int J Pediatr Obes

    (2010)
  • Policy statement: prevention of pediatric overweight and obesity

    Pediatrics

    (2003)
  • D.S. Freedman et al.

    The relation of overweight to cardiovascular risk factors among children and adolescents. The Bogalusa Heart Study

    Pediatrics

    (2002)
  • M.H. Park et al.

    The impact of childhood obesity on morbidity and mortality in adulthood: a systematic review

    Obes Rev

    (2012)
  • C.M. Powers et al.

    Measurement and long term health risks of childhood and adolescente fatness

    Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord

    (1997)
  • M. Wabitsch

    Overweight and obesity in European children: definition and diagnostic procedures, risk factors and consequences for later health outcome

    Eur J Pediatr

    (2000)
  • D.S. Freedman et al.

    The relation of overweight to cardiovascular risk factors among children and adolescents: the Bogalusa Heart Study

    Pediatrics

    (1999)
  • Cited by (0)

    View full text