We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Overweight and obesity in Norwegian children: prevalence and socio-demographic risk factors.
- Authors
Júlíusson, Pétur B.; Eide, Geir Egil; Roelants, Mathieu; Waaler, Per Erik; Hauspie, Roland; Bjerknes, Robert
- Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity and to identify socio-demographic risk factors in Norwegian children. Methods: The body mass index of 6386 children aged 2–19 years was compared with the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut-off values to estimate the prevalence of overweight including obesity (OWOB) and obesity (OB). The effect of socio-demographic factors on this prevalence was analysed using multiple ordinal logistic regression analysis in a subsample of 3793 children. Results: The overall prevalence of OWOB was 13.8% (13.2% in boys and 14.5% in girls, p = 0.146), but the prevalence was higher in primary school children aged 6–11 years (17%, p < 0.001). The risk of being OWOB or OB increased in children with fever siblings (p = 0.003) and with lower parental educational level (p = 0.001). There was no association with parental employment status, single-parent families or origin. Conclusion: The prevalence of OWOB and OB in Norwegian primary school children is of concern. Socio-demographic factors have pronounced effects on the current prevalence of overweight and obesity in a cohort of Norwegian children. This knowledge could help to work out strategies to reduce the burden of overweight and obesity in children.
- Subjects
NORWAY; OVERWEIGHT children; OBESITY; LOGISTIC regression analysis; SCHOOL children
- Publication
Acta Paediatrica, 2010, Vol 99, Issue 6, p900
- ISSN
0803-5253
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1651-2227.2010.01730.x