OBJECTIVE: To investigate sociodemographic, ethnic and dietary factors associated with the development of childhood obesity. DESIGN: 276 children, aged 8-12 years, randomly selected from seven schools in Thessaloniki, Northern Greece, participated in the study. 13% of the children were immigrants from neighboring Balkan countries and ex-Soviet Union countries. Data was collected using specific validated questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements, dietary intake and physical activity assessment were carried out for all children. RESULTS: 26.1% of the boys and 22.4% of the girls were overweight and a further 11.6% of boys and 10.9% of girls were obese. The overweight and obesity rate was significantly lower in immigrants (10% and 3.3%) compared to Greeks (25.8% and 12.7%), p=0.024. Obese children compared to their non-obese counterparts a) had parents who were obese at a higher percentage (p=0.001), b) reported that food preparation was carried out by their grandmother (p=0.006) and c) had less pocket money (p=0.004). Daily energy and carbohydrate intakes were significantly higher in immigrants compared to Greeks (1611+/-599Kcal vs 1363+/-471Kcal, p=0.036 and 188.31+/-70.63g vs 149.87+/-56.41g, p=0.001) and the same was true for exercise (6.38+/-7.22 h/w vs 4.14+/-4.18 h/w, p=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: In planning interventions for childhood obesity, sociodemographic factors in addition to food intake and physical activity patterns have to be considered.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate sociodemographic, ethnic and dietary factors associated with the development of childhood obesity. DESIGN: 276 children, aged 8-12 years, randomly selected from seven schools in Thessaloniki, Northern Greece, participated in the study. 13% of the children were immigrants from neighboring Balkan countries and ex-Soviet Union countries. Data was collected using specific validated questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements, dietary intake and physical activity assessment were carried out for all children. RESULTS: 26.1% of the boys and 22.4% of the girls were overweight and a further 11.6% of boys and 10.9% of girls were obese. The overweight and obesity rate was significantly lower in immigrants (10% and 3.3%) compared to Greeks (25.8% and 12.7%), p=0.024. Obesechildren compared to their non-obese counterparts a) had parents who were obese at a higher percentage (p=0.001), b) reported that food preparation was carried out by their grandmother (p=0.006) and c) had less pocket money (p=0.004). Daily energy and carbohydrate intakes were significantly higher in immigrants compared to Greeks (1611+/-599Kcal vs 1363+/-471Kcal, p=0.036 and 188.31+/-70.63g vs 149.87+/-56.41g, p=0.001) and the same was true for exercise (6.38+/-7.22 h/w vs 4.14+/-4.18 h/w, p=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: In planning interventions for childhood obesity, sociodemographic factors in addition to food intake and physical activity patterns have to be considered.
Authors: T Tzotzas; E Kapantais; K Tziomalos; I Ioannidis; A Mortoglou; S Bakatselos; M Kaklamanou; L Lanaras; D Kaklamanou Journal: Hippokratia Date: 2011-01 Impact factor: 0.471
Authors: Elizabeth K Do; Gabrielle A Bowen; Albert J Ksinan; Elizabeth L Adams; Bernard F Fuemmeler Journal: Child Obes Date: 2021-01-25 Impact factor: 2.992
Authors: Themistoklis Tzotzas; George Vlahavas; Sousana K Papadopoulou; Efthymios Kapantais; Daphne Kaklamanou; Maria Hassapidou Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2010-11-26 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Maria Hassapidou; Themistoklis Tzotzas; Evangelia Makri; Ioannis Pagkalos; Ioannis Kaklamanos; Efthymios Kapantais; Annet Abrahamian; Antonis Polymeris; Konstantinos Tziomalos Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2017-01-28 Impact factor: 3.295