Abstract

ARIAS LOPEZ, Isabel; CABRERIZO MARTINEZ, José; FRANCO VALERO, Julia  and  LEON MARTIN, Antonio Alberto. Epidemiological study of obesity and excess weight in a pediatric population in a rural setting in Castilla-La Mancha. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2008, vol.2, n.4, pp.162-166. ISSN 2386-8201.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and trends in obesity and excess weight in the pediatric population in our work setting and whether factors such as age, sex or blood pressure are associated with obesity/excess weight. Design and participants: A retrospective follow up study was carried out on a cohort of all the children born in 1992 in the Basic Health Area of Calzada de Calatrava (n = 92). The sources used were clinical records, and the following measurements were recorded: weight, height and BMI for each patient in the check ups carried out at birth, 2 years, 6-7 years, 10-11 years and 14-15 years, and blood pressure in the last two check ups. Results: The prevalence of obesity at 14 years old in our population was around 9.8% according to criteria of Cole¹ et al and 18.3 % according to the criteria of Hernandez² et al. With regards the alteration in blood pressure at the first measurements, during the 11-year and 14-year check ups, we found a statistically significant association between high blood pressure and obesity at 14 years old. Conclusions: With our study we have shown there to be an alarming increase in obesity and excess weight in our population, in accordance with the literature consulted. Childhood obesity can also favour other cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure. We consider that obesity and excess weight are a real and established problem in the Spanish population.

Keywords : Obesity; Child.

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