[Prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents attending school in Seine Saint-Denis].

In France, the increase of obesity prevalence in children constitutes a true "epidemic". The school doctors based in Seine Saint-Denis carried out a study during the 2003-2004 academic year on the prevalence of childhood obesity in students from nursery school and junior high school. It was also closely linked to an individually-based awareness campaign for better management of the students surveyed and selected. The results show a prevalence of obesity of 13.9% at 6 years old and 14.3% at 15 years, values which are higher than the national data (10.6% at 6 years old and 11.3% at 15 years old). On the other hand, a percentage of 5.15% of underweight children was found in the 6 year old group. The socio-economic and urban specificities of this specific county partially explain these numbers. It would seem judicious to sign-up the service for health promotion in support of students (SPSFE) with the task to pursue activities which can identify and manage their care, in partnership namely with the network for the management and prevention of pediatric obesity (REPOP-IdeF), county social services and maternal and child protection (PMI). It would also be recommended to engage in and commission new reflections on the schools' nutrition and food practices (both for snacks and cafeteria dining). The population of underweight children should serve as a target focus group for streamlining adapted care management as well as for more additional complementary information.