Original articlePrevalence of Child and Youth Obesity in Spain in 2012Prevalencia de obesidad infantil y juvenil en España en 2012
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)
- et al.
Epidemiología de las enfermedades cardiovasculares en España
Rev Esp Cardiol
(2006) - et al.
Patrón epidemiológico de la obesidad en Castilla y León y su relación con otros factores de riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular
Rev Esp Cardiol
(2011) - et al.
Grupo Cooperativo ERICE. Prevalencia, distribución y variabilidad geográfica de los principales factores de riesgo cardiovascular en España. Análisis agrupado de datos individuales de estudios epidemiológicos poblacionales: estudio ERICE
Rev Esp Cardiol
(2008) - et al.
Sedentarismo, adiposidad y factores de riesgo cardiovascular en adolescentes. Estudio AFINOS
Rev Esp Cardiol
(2010) - et al.
Influencia de la obesidad y la desnutrición en la insuficiencia cardiaca aguda
Rev Esp Cardiol
(2012) - et al.
Prediabetes in obese youth: a syndrome of impaired glucose tolerance, severe insulin resistance, and altered myocellular and abdominal fat partitioning
Lancet
(2003) - et al.
Cardiovascular risk factors in Chinese American children: associations between overweight, acculturation, and physical activity
J Pediatr Health Care
(2008) - et al.
Prevention of childhood obesity in Spain: a focus on policies outsider the health sector. SESPAS report 2010
Gac Sanit
(2010) - et al.
Obesidad infantil y juvenil en España. Resultados del Estudio enKid (1998-2000)
Med Clin (Barc)
(2003) - et al.
Factors associated with errors in self-reports of stature, weight, and body mass index in Minnesota adolescents
Ann Epidemiol
(2005)