Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity and Related Risk Factors in Schoolchildren 6 to 12 Years at Las Flores Neighborhood-Barranquilla

Abstract

The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and related risk factors in children aged 6 to 12, who attended four public and private schools in the neighborhood of Las Flores, in the city of Barranquilla, Colombia. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in children aged 6 to 12. The population studied was 281 students, 51.60% girls and 48.40% boys, with average age of 8.9 years. The study subjects were selected by simple random sampling. The variables studied include socio-demographic characteristics such as age, sex and school grade, type of educational institution, the pattern of physical activity, food pattern (frequency of consumption of foods, fast foods and soft drinks) and nutritional status. Thirty percent of the population studied were under an excess of weight, 22% were overweight and 8% were obese. Excess weight was more prevalent in boys (32%) than in girls (29%). It was observed that overweight increases as age and school grade increases. The high prevalence of overweight and obesity in school-age children is a potential risk for adult obesity. This situation is problematic for public health in which timely intervention is required.