BACKGROUND: Obesity is considered a major public health issue in most developed countries nowadays. This paper provides an overview of current population data available in Spain and the approach to develop preventive strategies in the country. METHODS: Review of population data available is based on individually measured weight and height as well as determinants. On this basis, the approach used in the country to develop preventive strategies is discussed. RESULTS: According to the DORICA study, the prevalence of obesity (BMI >or=30 kg m-2) is 15.5% in Spanish adults aged 25-60 years (13.2% in men and 17.5% in women). Obesity rates are higher among women aged 45 years and older, low social class, living in semi-urban places. Population estimates for the prevalence of obesity in Spanish children and young people based on the enKid study are 13.9% for the whole group. In this study, overweight and obesity is related to absence of breastfeeding, low consumption of fruit and vegetables, high consumption of cakes, buns, softdrinks and butchery products, low physical activity levels and a positive association with time spent watching TV. In 2005, the Spanish Ministry of Health jointly with the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition launched the multifaceted NAOS strategy for nutrition, physical activity and the prevention of obesity. The important role of the family and the school setting as well as the responsibility of the Health Administration and Pediatric Care in the prevention of obesity is highlighted in the document. The need for environmental actions is recognised. The PERSEO programme, a multicomponent school-based intervention project is part of the strategy currently in place. CONCLUSION: Obesity is a public health issue in Spain. A national multifaceted strategy was launched to counteract the problem. Environmental and policy actions are a priority. Young children and their families are among the main target groups.
BACKGROUND:Obesity is considered a major public health issue in most developed countries nowadays. This paper provides an overview of current population data available in Spain and the approach to develop preventive strategies in the country. METHODS: Review of population data available is based on individually measured weight and height as well as determinants. On this basis, the approach used in the country to develop preventive strategies is discussed. RESULTS: According to the DORICA study, the prevalence of obesity (BMI >or=30 kg m-2) is 15.5% in Spanish adults aged 25-60 years (13.2% in men and 17.5% in women). Obesity rates are higher among women aged 45 years and older, low social class, living in semi-urban places. Population estimates for the prevalence of obesity in Spanish children and young people based on the enKid study are 13.9% for the whole group. In this study, overweight and obesity is related to absence of breastfeeding, low consumption of fruit and vegetables, high consumption of cakes, buns, softdrinks and butchery products, low physical activity levels and a positive association with time spent watching TV. In 2005, the Spanish Ministry of Health jointly with the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition launched the multifaceted NAOS strategy for nutrition, physical activity and the prevention of obesity. The important role of the family and the school setting as well as the responsibility of the Health Administration and Pediatric Care in the prevention of obesity is highlighted in the document. The need for environmental actions is recognised. The PERSEO programme, a multicomponent school-based intervention project is part of the strategy currently in place. CONCLUSION:Obesity is a public health issue in Spain. A national multifaceted strategy was launched to counteract the problem. Environmental and policy actions are a priority. Young children and their families are among the main target groups.
Authors: Juan Jesus Haro-Mora; Eva Garcia-Escobar; Nuria Porras; Dolores Alcazar; Joaquin Gaztambide; Antonio Ruiz-Orpez; Sara Garcia-Serrano; Juan M Gomez-Zumaquero; Eduardo Garcia-Fuentes; Juan P Lopez-Siguero; Federico Soriguer; Gemma Rojo-Martinez Journal: Int J Endocrinol Metab Date: 2013-04-01
Authors: Silke Hermann; Sabine Rohrmann; Jakob Linseisen; Anne M May; Anton Kunst; Herve Besson; Dora Romaguera; Noemie Travier; Maria-Jose Tormo; Esther Molina; Miren Dorronsoro; Aurelio Barricarte; Laudina Rodríguez; Francesca L Crowe; Kay-Tee Khaw; Nicholas J Wareham; Petra G A van Boeckel; H Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita; Kim Overvad; Marianne Uhre Jakobsen; Anne Tjønneland; Jytte Halkjær; Claudia Agnoli; Amalia Mattiello; Rosario Tumino; Giovanna Masala; Paolo Vineis; Androniki Naska; Philippos Orfanos; Antonia Trichopoulou; Rudolf Kaaks; Manuela M Bergmann; Annika Steffen; Bethany Van Guelpen; Ingegerd Johansson; Signe Borgquist; Jonas Manjer; Tonje Braaten; Guy Fagherazzi; Françoise Clavel-Chapelon; Traci Mouw; Teresa Norat; Elio Riboli; Sabina Rinaldi; Nadia Slimani; Petra H M Peeters Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2011-03-17 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Titta M Salopuro; Timo Saaristo; Heikki Oksa; Hannu Puolijoki; Mauno Vanhala; Tapani Ebeling; Leo Niskanen; Jaakko Tuomilehto; Matti Uusitupa; Markku Peltonen Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2011-05-19 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Antonio Hernández-Mijares; Eva Solá-Izquierdo; Francisco Ballester-Mechó; María Teresa Marí-Herrero; Juan Vicente Gilabert-Molés; Natalia Gimeno-Clemente; María Morales-Suárez-Varela Journal: BMC Res Notes Date: 2009-07-27
Authors: Napoleón Pérez-Farinós; Ana M López-Sobaler; M Ángeles Dal Re; Carmen Villar; Estefanía Labrado; Teresa Robledo; Rosa M Ortega Journal: Biomed Res Int Date: 2013-09-08 Impact factor: 3.411