F L Lombardo1, A Spinelli1, G Lazzeri2, A Lamberti1, G Mazzarella3, P Nardone1, V Pilato2, M Buoncristiano1, M Caroli4. 1. National Center of Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy. 2. CREPS-Research Centre for Health Promotion and Education, Department Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. 3. Health Authority NA3 Sud, Vico Equense, Naples, Italy. 4. Brindisi Local Health Authority, Brindisi, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Little information is available on severe obesity in childhood. This study estimates the prevalence of severe obesity in 8- to 9-year-old children resident in Italy and its association with gender, age, geographical area and parents' nutritional status and education using the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria. SUBJECTS/ METHODS: A nationally representative sample of grade 3 Italian students was measured in 2010 (N=42,431) using standardized instruments and methodology. Severe obesity in children was assessed using definitions provided by the WHO and by the IOTF. Prevalence was estimated within categories of sociodemographic variables and their independent effects were estimated using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of severe obesity in 2010 was 4.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.2-4.7) according to the WHO definition and 2.7% (95% CI: 2.5-2.9) with IOTF cutoffs. These values were slightly lower than those observed in 2008. The prevalence was higher in males, in 8-year-old children and in the South. Parental low education and high body mass index were strongly associated with childhood severe obesity. CONCLUSION: According to the definition used, between 30,000 and 50,000 children aged 8-9 years suffer severe obesity in Italy.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Little information is available on severe obesity in childhood. This study estimates the prevalence of severe obesity in 8- to 9-year-old children resident in Italy and its association with gender, age, geographical area and parents' nutritional status and education using the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria. SUBJECTS/ METHODS: A nationally representative sample of grade 3 Italian students was measured in 2010 (N=42,431) using standardized instruments and methodology. Severe obesity in children was assessed using definitions provided by the WHO and by the IOTF. Prevalence was estimated within categories of sociodemographic variables and their independent effects were estimated using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of severe obesity in 2010 was 4.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.2-4.7) according to the WHO definition and 2.7% (95% CI: 2.5-2.9) with IOTF cutoffs. These values were slightly lower than those observed in 2008. The prevalence was higher in males, in 8-year-old children and in the South. Parental low education and high body mass index were strongly associated with childhood severe obesity. CONCLUSION: According to the definition used, between 30,000 and 50,000 children aged 8-9 years suffer severe obesity in Italy.
Authors: Mercedes de Onis; Adelheid W Onyango; Elaine Borghi; Amani Siyam; Chizuru Nishida; Jonathan Siekmann Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2007-09 Impact factor: 9.408
Authors: Laura Censi; Angela Spinelli; Romana Roccaldo; Noemi Bevilacqua; Anna Lamberti; Veronica Angelini; Paola Nardone; Giovanni Baglio Journal: Public Health Nutr Date: 2013-11-15 Impact factor: 4.022
Authors: Mercedes de Onis; Cecilia Martínez-Costa; Francisco Núñez; Georges Nguefack-Tsague; Angeles Montal; Juan Brines Journal: Public Health Nutr Date: 2012-10-31 Impact factor: 4.022
Authors: C M Balzaretti; V Ventura; S Ratti; G Ferrazzi; A Spallina; M O Carruba; M Castrica Journal: Eat Weight Disord Date: 2018-06-12 Impact factor: 4.652
Authors: Esha Bansal; Donatella Placidi; Shaye Carver; Stefano Renzetti; Augusto Giorgino; Giuseppa Cagna; Silvia Zoni; Chiara Fedrighi; Miriana Montemurro; Manuela Oppini; Michele Conversano; Stefano Guazzetti; Robert O Wright; Donald Smith; Luz Claudio; Roberto G Lucchini Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-06-08 Impact factor: 3.390