Abstract

ARRISCADO ALSINA, D.; MUROS MOLINA, J. J.; ZABALA DIAZ, M.  and  DALMAU TORRES, J. M.. Influence of sex and school type on overweight and obesity rates. Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria [online]. 2014, vol.16, n.64, pp.e139-e146. ISSN 1139-7632.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1139-76322014000500004.

Introduction: child overweight and obesity have become, in recent decades, an epidemic that affects developed countries in particular. Many increasingly negative health impacts are related to childhood obesity. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obese people in a city of northern Spain, and to identify the factors that influence this prevalence and its relationship with blood pressure. Material and methods: the study was conducted on a representative sample of 329 sixth-grade students (11-12 years) from the city of Logroño. Socio-demographic data, blood pressure, maturational development, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, and triceps and subscapular skinfolds were obtained. Results: in all anthropometric measurements significant differences between people of average weight and overweight/obese people were found. The prevalence of overweight and obese people, according to international benchmarks, was 23.7% and 3.3%, respectively. This prevalence was higher in boys and students in public schools. Significant relationships between anthropometric variables and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were found. Conclusions: the rates of overweight and obese people were similar to the rest of the country, with the highest rates found in male students and in those educated in public schools.

Keywords : Sex; Primary schools; Blood pressure; Obesity; Overweight.

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