Prevalence of childhood obesity in Spain and its relation with socioeconomic status and health behaviors: Population-based cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to assess the current state of childhood overweight and obesity in Spain, and its relationship with socioeconomic status and health-related behaviors.

METHODS

Population-based cross-sectional observational study, based on the 2017 National Health Survey in minors in Spain. This study included all children surveyed who were aged 1-14 years. Childhood obesity was estimated from the z-score of the body mass index.

RESULTS

The study included 4882 children aged 1-14 years (mean 7.5). The prevalence of obesity was 18.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 18.5-18.7), while 13.5% (95% CI 13.4-13.6) were overweight. These figures represent over a million children in Spain who are obese and nearly 750,000 who are overweight. A north-south geographic gradient was apparent, with higher prevalence of unhealthy body weight in southern Spain. Factors associated with childhood obesity were low socioeconomic status, poor diet and sedentarism, among others.

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood overweight in Spain is strongly associated with socioeconomic status and other factors such as diet and sedentarism. Multidisciplinary public health interventions are needed to reduce this serious health problem in children.

[Double diabetes mellitus. Double challenge for the exercise prescription. Systematic review]

Double diabetes (DD) refers to patients with type 1 diabetes who have developed insulin resistance. The objective of this review is to update relevant information on the prescription of physical activity, pharmacological adjustments and consumption of carbohydrates in DD. A systematic search for scientific articles was carried out in the following databases: PubMed, Cochrane, EBSCO, WoS, ScienceDirect and Medline. The evidence analyzed shows that both physical activity (PA) and physical exercise (PE) are essential to achieve metabolic control in people with DD. Physiological considerations such as: insulin adjustments, insulin injection sites, time to perform PA and PE, absolute and relative contraindications are essential to avoid complications, especially hypoglycemia.

Influence of obesity on blood glucose control using continuous glucose monitoring data among patients with type 1 diabetes

INTRODUCTION

The global increase in the prevalence rates of overweight or obesity has also affected patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), where this disease had traditionally been associated with a lean phenotype. On the other hand, the effect of obesity on new glycemic control metrics obtained from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in T1D is poorly understood. We wanted to assess whether there is any relationship between BMI (body mass index) and the different CGM metrics or HbA1c.

METHODS

Two hundred and twenty-five patients with T1D (47.1% ♀, mean age 42.9±14.7 years) with a CGM for a minimum of 6 months were analysed by downloading their CGM and collecting clinical and anthropometric variables.

RESULTS

35.1% (79/225) of the T1D patients had overweight and 17.3% (39/225) lived with obesity, while the remaining 47.6% had a normal weight. A negative correlation was found between GMI (glucose management indicator) and BMI (-0.2; p=0.008) and HbA1c (-0.2; p=0.01). In contrast, a positive correlation was observed between the total dose of insulin and the BMI (0.3; p<0.0001). No significant correlations were found between BMI and other CGM metrics.

CONCLUSIONS

Overweight or obesity do not imply worse glycemic control in patients with T1D or less use of CGM. Possibly, and in order to achieve a good glycemic control, more units of insulin are necessary in these patients which, in turn, makes weight control more difficult.

Differences in the temporal trends of childhood overweight and obesity in Spain in the 2011-2019 period by sex, age and socioeconomic level: results of the ALADINO study

INTRODUCTION

Childhood excess weight is a growing public health problem. The aim of this study was to assess temporal trends in the prevalence of overweight, obesity and central obesity in schoolchildren aged 6-9 years in Spain between 2011 and 2019 based on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.

METHODOLOGY

The analysis included data from the 2011, 2015 and 2019 rounds of the cross-sectional observational and descriptive ALADINO study in schoolchildren of both sexes aged 6-9 years. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity (defined according to the criteria of the World Health Organization and the International Obesity Task Force) and of central obesity, in addition to associated demographic and socioeconomic variables.

RESULTS

Between 2011 and 2019, the prevalence of overweight (WHO criteria) decreased in boys aged 6, 7 and 8 years (by -5.4%, -5.7% and -5.3%, respectively) and boys whose parents had a higher educational attainment (by -5.3%). In relation to the socioeconomic level, overweight in boys declined at all income levels. However, between 2011 and 2019, both the prevalence of overweight in girls and the prevalence of obesity (applying the WHO and IOTF criteria) and the prevalence of central obesity in both sexes remained stable.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of overweight and the prevalence of obesity in schoolchildren aged 6-9 years in Spain remain high. Between 2011 and 2019, the prevalence of overweight in children aged 6-8 years and in children whose parents had university degrees decreased, whereas obesity in boys, overweight and obesity in girls and central obesity in both sexes remained stable.

Does obesity really affect renal transplantation outcomes?

INTRODUCTION

Kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD). About 60% of CKD patients are overweight or obese at the time of kidney transplantation, and post-transplant obesity occurs in 50% of patients, with a weight gain of 10% in the first year and high risk of cardiovascular mortality. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of delayed graft function (DGF), acute rejection, surgical complications, graft loss and mortality. The aim of this study is to assess the clinical evolution of obese and overweight patients that have received a kidney transplant, based on short- and long-term complications associated with a higher BMI.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted with 104 kidney or pancreas-kidney transplant patients between March 2017 and December 2020, with a follow-up until April 2021. For comparative analysis, patients were grouped according to BMI.

RESULTS

Mean age was of 56.65 years, 60.6% male and 39.4 % female. Overweight patients experienced prolonged surgeries, more surgical wound dehiscence, delayed graft function, hernias, proteinuria and more indications for renal biopsies. Additionally, obese patients displayed more DGF, indications for renal biopsies, proteinuria, development of diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation and needed prolonged hospital stays.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a high prevalence of comorbidity in the overweight and/or obese population, we found no reduction in patient and/or graft survival. However, longer follow-up is needed.

Lifestyle and cardiovascular risk in working young adults: insights from a nationwide Spanish cohort

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to describe the cardiovascular risk profile of working young adults from Spain and its association with lifestyle.

METHODS

Participants (18-30 years) were recruited from a nationwide cohort of economically active adults insured by a large occupational risk prevention company, with data obtained from routine medical assessments. The participants were categorized as having an "unhealthy" cardiovascular risk profile based on the presence of prediabetes/diabetes, prehypertension/hypertension, or hypercholesterolemia, or a "healthy" profile if these conditions were completely absent. The association with lifestyle factors (weight, physical activity, sleeping characteristics, alcohol consumption, smoking) was assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 78 421 young adults (27±2 years, 36% female) were evaluated at baseline. The "unhealthy" cardiovascular risk profile was prevalent (18%) and inversely associated (OR, 0.64; 95%CI, 0.57-0.80) with an optimal lifestyle (normal weight, regular physical activity, no drinking/smoking, and good sleep). The latter condition was found in only 3.5% of the participants. On the other hand, prospective analyses in 44 776 participants (median follow-up=2 [range 2-5] years) showed that 2.0% transitioned from a "healthy" to an "unhealthy" profile. Being physically active (OR, 0.95; 95%CI, 0.81-0.99) and having a normal weight (OR, 0.61; 95%CI, 0.51-0.70) were associated with a lower likelihood of this transition. No consistent associations were found for other lifestyle factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is high in economically active young Spanish adults. An unhealthy cardiovascular risk profile is inversely associated with an optimal lifestyle, but the latter is highly infrequent in this population.

Diagnosis of nutritional status, dyslipidemia and associated risk factors in indigenous Yaqui schoolchildren

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition is a global problem that affects schoolchildren and can increase the risk of diseases in adulthood. Adult members of the Yaqui Indigenous group have been shown to have serious health problems, and Yaqui schoolchildren could therefore find themselves in a similar situation.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the nutritional status, lipid profile and associated factors in a sample of Yaqui schoolchildren.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 109 Yaqui schoolchildren who lived in their localities of origin were recruited. Anthropometric measurements were carried out, a venous blood sample was extracted in fasting conditions, and several questionnaires were applied.

RESULTS

The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 38.5%, with no cases of chronic malnutrition being recorded; 38.6% of the children had dyslipidemia. Fiber consumption was a protective factor against overweight/obesity, while fat intake was a risk factor. The physical activity score was found to be a protective factor against dyslipidemia, and the risk factors were BMI-for-age Z-scores, waist circumference, family history of dyslipidemia, educational level, and permanent employment.

CONCLUSIONS

Yaqui schoolchildren equally suffer from a high proportion of overweight/obesity and dyslipidemia. The associated factors may be useful for the design of contextualized interventions for this population.

Influence of obesity and overweight in surgical outcomes of adrenalectomy for primary adrenal disease: A cohort study of 146 cases

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of obesity and overweight on surgical outcomes in a large cohort of patients who underwent adrenalectomy due to benign or malignant primary adrenal disease.

METHODS

A retrospective single-center study of patients without history of active extraadrenal malignancy, with adrenal tumors operated on consecutively in our center between January 2010 and December 2022. Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI)≥30kg/m2 and overweight as BMI between 25.0 and 30.0kg/m2.

RESULTS

Of 146 patients with adrenal tumors who underwent adrenalectomy, 9.6% (n=14) were obese, 54.8% (n=80) overweight and 35.6% (n=52) normal weight. Obese patients had higher diastolic blood pressure (87.6±12.22 vs. 79.3±10.23mmHg, P=0.010) and a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia (57.1% vs. 25.8%, P=0.014) and bilateral tumors (14.3% vs. 3.1%, P=0.044) than non-obese patients. The rates of intraoperative and of postsurgical complications were similar between obese/overweight patients and patients with normal weight. However, a significantly higher rate of postsurgical complications (27.3% vs. 5.7%, P=0.009) and a longer hospital stay (5.4±1.39 vs. 3.5±1.78 days, P=0.007) were observed in patients with obesity than in non-obese patients. In the multivariant analysis, obesity, age, ASA>2 and tumor size were independent risk factors for postoperative complications, with obesity being the most important factor (OR 23.34 [2.23-244.24]).

CONCLUSION

Obesity and overweight are common conditions in patients who undergo adrenalectomy. Adrenalectomy is considered a safe procedure in patients with overweight, but it is associated with a higher risk of postsurgical complications and longer hospital stay in obese patients.

[Impact of attend to day care associated with healthy weight in infants and preschoolers]

Background

Being overweight affects millions of infants and preschoolers in the world, affecting their quality and life expectancy. Exposure to day care centers may play an important role in preventing unhealthy weight (UW).

Objective

To point out the prevalence and association of day care exposure and other factors associated with UW in infants and preschoolers.

Methods

An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out. Infant population aged 6-47 months without comorbidities that compromised their nutritional status were included, and those with formal childcare different from the selected day care were excluded. Exposure to day care, and other factors (perinatal, physical activity, nutritional, and familiar) were evaluated. A z score > 1 SD was considered UW. Prevalence, odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and adjusted RM by low birth weight, initiation of complementary feeding, consumption of sugary drinks, daytime naps, maternal nutritional status, and family income quintile through logistic regression.

Results

The overall prevalence of UW was 17.84% (95%CI: 14.93-21.16), 11.84 (95%CI: 8.54-16.14) for children exposed to day care, and 23.78% (95%CI: 19.21-29.02) in unexposed infant population, showing significant differences between both prevalences (p < 0.001). The adjusted OR for UW presentation was 0.39 (95% CI: 0.23-0.66).

Conclusions

Exposure to IMSS day care has shown to be a possible protective environment against the development of a UW.

Study of gastroesophageal reflux. Interpretation of functional tests in the obese patient

Overweight and obesity are a public health problem and in 1997 obesity was recognized as a global epidemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Overweight and obesity affect almost 60% of adults and one in three children in Europe according to the most recent WHO report. Objectively, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined as the presence of characteristic esophageal mucosal damage assessed by endoscopy and/or the demonstra-tion of pathological acid exposure by reflux monitoring studies. The prevalence of GERD is increased in obese patients In overweight and obese patients, the clinical symptoms of GERD are especially present in the supine position and this correlates with more frequent episodes of nocturnal reflux in the 24-h pH monitoring, there is also an increase in the number of refluxes with content acid. In the population with symptoms, digestive endoscopy detects data of erosive esophagitis in 50% of patients, while 24-h pH-impedanciometry diagnoses 92% of patients with non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) The presence of persistent GERD in the mucosa affects esophageal motility and patients may develop ineffective esophageal motility-type disorders, so we will review the interpre-tation of the functional tests that determine motility, which is esophageal manometry, and those that determine reflux gastroesophageal, acid and non-acid, which is the pH measure-ment with or without 24-h impedanciometry.

Socioeconomic and gender inequalities in childhood obesity in Spain

INTRODUCTION

Childhood obesity is inversely associated with household socioeconomic status in high-income countries. Our aim was to explore the association between childhood weight status and household socioeconomic status in Spain in relation to family characteristics, perceptions and lifestyle habits and the school environment.

METHODS

We performed a descriptive analysis of child weight status according to family socioeconomic factors and mediating variables based on data from the ALADINO 2019 study in a sample of 16,665 schoolchildren representative of the population aged 6-9 years in Spain.

RESULTS

The prevalence of childhood obesity in households with low socioeconomic status (26.8% boys; 20.4% girls) was, in both sexes, twice as high as in those with higher socioeconomic status (12.1% boys; 8.7% girls). Unhealthy eating habits, sedentary lifestyles (mainly in girls) and the presence of screens in the bedroom (more prevalent in boys) were more frequent in school-aged children from low-income households. On the other hand, in the most disadvantaged households, a history of breastfeeding and physical activity (especially in girls) were less frequent. Similarly, schools attended by children from low-income households were less likely to have their own kitchens and indoor gymnasiums or offer sports activities.

CONCLUSION

A lower household socioeconomic status was associated with poorer dietary and physical activity habits and certain characteristics of the family and school environments that mediate the inverse association between household socioeconomic status and the prevalence of childhood obesity. Girls were less physically active and reported more sedentary lifestyles, while boys had greater access to screens. Interventions to combat childhood obesity should address the identified inequalities.

Sociocultural differences in the development of obesity in adolescents in Murcia

BACKGROUND

Childhood obesity presents alarming numbers in our country, being even higher in the population of immigrant origin. The main objective was to analyse the excess weight numbers both in native adolescents and in those children of immigrants and to determine the ethnic influence on lifestyle habits that could condition these differences in weight overload.

METHODS

Adolescents from 1st year of Obligatory Secondary Education (E.S.O.) participated; somatometry was determined and classified according to BMI (with WHO references) and parental origin. Parents completed the survey on healthy habits (ENHASA). An analysis of variance was performed for each of the 4 dimensions of the questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 416 adolescents participated (12.8±0.62 years). Excess weight was detected in 41.2% of the participants, with significant differences between groups (p 0.018): 36.7% in Spanish, 42.9% in North Africa and 58.2% in South America. The ANOVA analysis showed differences in the section "physical activity" (p 0.003), highlighting the maximum disparity in the performance of extracurricular sports activities, with a lower score in both non-native groups.

CONCLUSION

We found significant differences according to ethnic origin in the number of overweight children and the amount of physical activity they do; South American adolescents are the most sedentary. We must design interventions that guarantee the access of all adolescents to sports activities to prevent the development of obesity.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Aragón and variations according to health determinants

INTRODUCTION

Childhood obesity is a serious global health problem that is continuously increasing worldwide. Many studies suggest that socioeconomic factors are related to the development of obesity. The objective of our study was to analyse the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Aragón, calculated applying the World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards, and to study its association with socioeconomic factors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We collected data for the entire paediatric population of Aragón aged 2-14 years. We classified each child as normal weight, overweight or obese based on the body mass index. We calculated prevalences by province and basic health care zone. To analyse differences in relation to social inequalities, we used the Aragón deprivation index as an indicator of socioeconomic status.

RESULTS

The final sample consisted of 161 335 children aged 2-14 years, 51% male and 49% female. The overall prevalence of excess weight was 31.1% (17.7% overweight and 13.3% obesity) and was significantly higher in boys. We found a high frequency of under-recording in health records (65%). There was a direct association between the deprivation index and the prevalence of obesity and overweight throughout Aragón, with a significant strong correlation in urban areas, where socioeconomic factors explained up to 66.4% of obesity and 48.9% of body weight excess.

CONCLUSIONS

In Aragón, the prevalence of obesity and excess weight is high and associated with low family socioeconomic status.

Burden of overweight and obesity in Mexico from 1990 to 2021

BACKGROUND

Overweight and obesity (OW/OB) represent a serious challenge in Mexico, with effects on health, society and economy. Demographic, epidemiological, nutritional, social and economic factors have exacerbated this problem.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze mortality and years of healthy life lost in Mexico due to OW/OB in the 1990-2021 period.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The Global Burden of Disease and Risk Factors 2021 study was used to analyze data on elevated body mass index (BMI) as a risk factor and its evolution in Mexico.

RESULTS

In 2021, 118 thousand deaths attributable to high BMI were recorded, which accounted for 10.6% of total deaths and more than 4.2 million disability-adjusted life years lost.

CONCLUSIONS

The obesogenic environment, influenced by social determinants of health, has had a significant impact on mortality, burden of disease, and economic costs. Addressing OW/OB requires multisector interventions to strengthen the Mexican health system.

Prevalence rates of overweight and obesity and their associations with cardiometabolic and renal factors. SIMETAP-OB study

INTRODUCTION

Excess weight is a major health problem. Aims of this study were to determine the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity, and to compare their associations with cardiometabolic and renal risk factors between obese and non-obese populations, and between overweight and non-overweight populations.

METHODS

Cross-sectional observational study conducted in Primary Care. Population-based random sample: 6,588 study subjects between 18 and 102 years of age (response rate: 66%). Crude and sex- and age-adjusted prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were calculated, and their associations with cardiometabolic and renal variables were assessed by bivariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were 36.0% (42.1% in men; 33.1% in women) and 25.0% (26.2% in men; 24.5% in women), respectively. These prevalences increased with age, and were higher in men than in women. Fifty-two percent (95%CI: 50.0-53.9) of the overweight population and 62.3% (95%CI: 60.1-64.5) of the obese population had a high or very high cardiovascular risk. Abdominal obesity, physical inactivity, prediabetes, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL-C were independently associated with both entities. Furthermore, diabetes was independently associated with overweight and hypercholesterolemia with obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 61.0% (68.4% in men and 59.0% in women). More than half of the overweight population and nearly two-thirds of the obese population had a high cardiovascular risk. Hyperglycemia, physical inactivity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, low HDL-C, and hypertriglyceridemia were independently associated with overweight and obesity.

Challenges and perspectives of the double burden of malnutrition in Latin America

Nutrition is a key factor in the development of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCCDs), especially cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and their risk factors. The "double burden of malnutrition" (DBM) is the coexistence of undernutrition and overnutrition in the same population across the life-course. In Latin America, the transition from a predominantly underweight to an overweight and obese population has increased more rapidly than in other regions in the world. Undernutrition and the micronutrient deficiencies particularly iron, zinc, and vitamins A and D, present high heterogeneity in Latin American countries, and are currently considered important public health problems. In this region, NCCDs account for 50% of the disability-adjusted life-years, led by CVD. The most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors are overweight, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Because of the cost of treatment and the potential years of life lost due to premature death, CVD is known to affect the poorest segments of the population, affecting communities, and governments. More than 80% of CVD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. The persistence of damage in some cells due to undernutrition may explain certain findings regarding the increase in NCCD. These aspects together with epigenetic changes have highlighted the importance of a lifelong approach to nutritional policy development. Reducing DBM requires major societal interventions in public health and nutrition to achieve holistic change that can be sustained over the long term and spread throughout the global food system. The implementation of effective state policies of double impact actions should influence both sides of the burden and be considered an urgent priority, considering country-specific inequalities and socio-demographic differences in the Latin American region, using diverse and multidisciplinary strategies.

The effects of diet quality and dietary acid load on insulin resistance in overweight children and adolescents

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to investigate the association of diet quality (DQ) and dietary acid load (DAL) with insulin resistance (IR) in overweight children and adolescents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted on 135 overweight participants aged 6-17 years. DQ was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015) and the HEI-2015-TUBER, revised in accordance with the Turkey Dietary Guidelines (TUBER). Estimation of DAL was made calculating the potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP) scores.

RESULTS

The HEI-2015-TUBER score was lower in those with IR than in those without IR (p=0.021). Higher PRAL and NEAP scores were found in those with IR (p=0.060 and p=0.044, respectively). Moreover, a one-unit increase in the HEI-2015-TUBER score and the DAL score was associated with a reduction of 4.2% and a rise of approximately 3% in IR risk, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthy eating habits in overweight paediatric groups may help to reduce the IR risk, improving DQ and decreasing DAL.

Pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity prevalence and relation to maternal and perinatal outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To identify the prevalence of pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity in pregnant women and its relationship with socio-demographic factors and to describe the maternal and perinatal outcomes in a Barcelona hospital (Spain).

METHOD

A descriptive cross-association study, with retrospective data collection, was performed Barcelona Hospital. The data of 5447 pregnant women who delivered at >=23 weeks of gestation were included. Body Mass Index (BMI) data were categorised into World Health Organization classifications. p values <.05 (two-tailed) were considered significant. Logistic regression models were performed.

RESULTS

The prevalence of pre-pregnancy obesity was 8.4% and 18.9% for overweight. Gestational diabetes was more frequent in pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity (OR 1.92: 95% CI 1.54-2.40 and OR 3.34: 95% CI 2.57-4.33), as were preeclampsia (OR 2.08: 95% CI 1.55-2.79 and OR 3.35: 95% CI 2.38-4.71), induction of labour (OR 1.19: 95% CI 1.02-1.38 and OR 1.94: 95% CI 1.57-2.10), caesarean section (OR 1.41: 95% CI 1.21-1.65 and OR 2.68: 95% CI 2.18-3.29), prematurity (OR 1.28: 95% CI 1-1.65 and OR 1.79: 95% CI 1.32-2.44) and macrosomia (OR 1.87: 95% CI 1.43-2.46 and OR 2.03: 95% CI 1.40-2.93).

CONCLUSIONS

One in four pregnant women had pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity. This study shows the relationship between pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis

Background

An association between overweight and thyroid dysfunction, including chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (CAT), has been previously described. Patients with overweight and obesity have a higher risk of increased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and anti-thyroid antibodies. Weight gain may also be a clinical sign of hypothyroidism. This study aimed to describe the frequency of overweight and obesity in children with CAT and to compare thyroid function and antibody titles according to body weight.

Methods

Clinical records from 78 patients with CAT who were followed up at a children's hospital in Mexico City were assessed. We collected demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical data, including thyroid function tests and antibodies. According to body mass index (BMI) percentiles, patients were classified as normal weight, overweight or obese according to BMI percentiles. Also, BMI changes at 6 and 12 months of follow-up were analyzed.

Results

We observed 19.2% of the patients with overweight and 15.4% with obesity. Patients with obesity showed high TSH and low thyroid hormone levels. Also, the frequency of hypothyroidism at presentation was higher in this group. No significant difference was found in antibody titles between groups. A significant BMI percentile reduction was observed during follow-up of patients independently of thyroid function at diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusions

Obesity is related to hypothyroidism in patients with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, although causality cannot be established through this observational study.

Body mass index in offspring of mothers with diabetes mellitus: follow-up at 2, 4, 6, and 8 years of age

Background

Offspring of mothers with diabetes mellitus (DM) during pregnancy may be at high risk for developmental alterations. This study aimed to identify the effects of maternal pre- and gestational diabetes on the body mass index of infants and children at two, four, six, and eight years of age.

Methods

We studied children of mothers with type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes and a control group. Maternal and neonatal variables were analyzed for associations with children overweight/obesity.

Results

Mothers with DM were older than controls (32 ± 6 vs. 22 ± 6 years, p < 0.001). The frequency of preeclampsia in mothers with DM was 28%. Gestational age and weight at birth were lower in infants from the groups of mothers with DM in comparison with controls (32.8 ± 3.1 vs. 36.4 ± 2.2 weeks, p < 0.001, and 1,637 ± 600 vs. 2,208 ± 518 g, p < 0.001, respectively). At 8 years of age, 47% of the offspring of mothers with DM type 2 had overweight/obesity (odds ratio (OR 8.25) 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-51, p = 0.01), while 27% of offspring of mothers with type 1 DM had overweight/obesity, and 10% of offspring of mothers with gestational diabetes presented overweight/obesity.

Conclusions

Offspring of pre-gestational DM mothers have a higher risk to develop overweight/obesity, as was observed with follow-up until school age, for which they require continuous vigilance.

Tackling risk factors for type 2 diabetes in adolescents: PRE-STARt study in Euskadi

INTRODUCTION

Obesity in the child population and its effect in the development of metabolic diseases are a public health issue. One of the aims of the European Project in a health system, is the evaluation of the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary health promotion program directed at adolescents with risk factors associated with the development of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Randomised clinical trial with two groups of 12-14 year-old overweight adolescents. The intervention group took part in a multidisciplinary program for 24 months. This program was based on 11 group sessions (8 main sessions and 3 additional support ones) for adolescents and their guardians. The control group received usual care at primary care level. Longitudinal regression models were adjusted to assess the evolution of anthropometric measures and living habits at baseline, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months in both groups.

RESULTS

There were 92 participants, equally distributed by group. Statistically significant differences were observed between intervention and control groups in several results: evolution of the body mass index; increase in the consumption of fruits and vegetables; decrease in the consumption of snacks and sweetened drinks; and increase in the number of days per week with more than one hour of physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The results confirm the effectiveness of this multidisciplinary program, both in the evolution of the body mass index, and in the improvement of the eating and physical activity habits, all of them risk factors for the future development of metabolic diseases, such as T2DM.

The prevalence and incidence rate of overweight and obesity among 2.5 million children and adolescents in Spain

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Childhood obesity trends are plateauing in Spain, but limited information is available about how they differ by region. This study assessed childhood and adolescent the prevalence and incidence of overweight and obesity from 2005 to 2017 across 8 Spanish regions.

METHODS

This longitudinal study used height and weight measurements from 2.5 million children aged 2 to 17 years to calculate overweight and obesity, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Data were obtained from The Base de datos para la Investigación Farmacoepidemiológica en Atención Primaria, and the Information System for Research in Primary Care. Prevalence and incidence rates and trends from 2005 to 2017 were calculated and stratified by age, sex, and region.

RESULTS

The overall obesity prevalence increased in boys and girls from age 2 (0.8%; 95%CI, 0.8-0.9 in both sexes) until peaking at age 7 in girls (17.3%; 95%CI, 17.1-17.5) and age 9 in boys (24.1%; 95%CI 23.9-24.3). The highest and lowest obesity prevalences were observed in Murcia and Navarre. Overall obesity prevalence trends decreased from 2005 to 2017 in all age-sex groups and in most regions. Highest obesity incidence rates were found in children aged 6 to 7 years, (4.5 [4.5-4.5] and 3.5 [3.5-3.5] new obesity cases per 100 person-years in boys and girls, respectively). Boys had higher prevalence and incidence rates than girls across all regions. Overweight/obesity prevalence and incidence rates and their trends were consistently higher than the obesity results, although a similar pattern was observed across sex and age.

CONCLUSIONS

Overweight and obesity prevalence slightly decreased in Spain from 2005 to 2017, but regional, sex, and age differences persisted. Because incidence peaked around the age of 6 years, it may be important to begin health promotion programs at an early age.

Relationship between modifiable risk factors and overweight in adolescents aged 12-14 years

INTRODUCTION

Spain is the European leader in overweight (O-W), partly to the social and environmental changes of the last decades. The objective of the work was to study the modifiable risk factors that lead to O-W.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A self-designed questionnaire with factors related to childhood obesity was produced, and was administered to the parents of adolescents who were attending first year of high school in four centres in Health Area V in Murcia. Weight, height, abdominal circumference and Waist-Height Index (WHI) of the students were measured, and classified as overweight-obesity. A reduction technique was applied, generating factors that grouped the items according to subject, as well as a multivalent technique to assess the dependency relationship between the variables, and the SB-OI.

RESULTS

Of the 421 students included, 28% and 35% had excess weight and abdominal obesity, respectively. The factor analysis grouped the items into 4 factors: diet, physical activity, technologies, and environment, with a subsection about body perception. The structural equation model presented an R² of 0.440. The highest relationship was obtained with the environment factor (t 2.89), and perception (t 14.61), followed by the use of technologies. A direct relationship was also revealed regarding diet and physical activity, although not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Family perception and the social-school environment have an important influence on the development of the O-W. Health education interventions involving parents and teachers are probably the smartest and most cost-effective strategies.

Pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity prevalence and relation to maternal and perinatal outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To identify the prevalence of pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity in pregnant women and its relationship with socio-demographic factors and to describe the maternal and perinatal outcomes in a Barcelona hospital (Spain).

METHOD

A descriptive cross-association study, with retrospective data collection, was performed Barcelona Hospital. The data of 5447 pregnant women who delivered at >=23 weeks of gestation were included. Body Mass Index (BMI) data were categorised into World Health Organization classifications. p values <.05 (two-tailed) were considered significant. Logistic regression models were performed.

RESULTS

The prevalence of pre-pregnancy obesity was 8.4% and 18.9% for overweight. Gestational diabetes was more frequent in pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity (OR 1.92: 95% CI 1.54-2.40 and OR 3.34: 95% CI 2.57-4.33), as were preeclampsia (OR 2.08: 95% CI 1.55-2.79 and OR 3.35: 95% CI 2.38-4.71), induction of labour (OR 1.19: 95% CI 1.02-1.38 and OR 1.94: 95% CI 1.57-2.10), caesarean section (OR 1.41: 95% CI 1.21-1.65 and OR 2.68: 95% CI 2.18-3.29), prematurity (OR 1.28: 95% CI 1-1.65 and OR 1.79: 95% CI 1.32-2.44) and macrosomia (OR 1.87: 95% CI 1.43-2.46 and OR 2.03: 95% CI 1.40-2.93).

CONCLUSIONS

One in four pregnant women had pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity. This study shows the relationship between pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Weight status in the 6 to 9 year-old school population in Spain: Results of the ALADINO 2015 study

INTRODUCTION

Overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence has grown alarmingly in the last twenty years or so in many countries of Europe, including Spain. This study presents the prevalences of overweight and obesity in 6-9 year-old schoolchildren in 2015, and their associated characteristics.

METHODOLOGY

ALADINO (Its initials in Spanish for Diet, physical activity, child development and obesity) is a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of 6-9 year-old schoolchildren in Spain, in line with the Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) of the World Health Organisation (WHO). The height and weight of the participants, defining the weight status according to WHO standards, and a questionnaire was given to the parents on lifestyle and sociodemographic characteristics.

RESULTS

Anthropometric measurements were taken on 10,899 schoolchildren for 168 primary education centres. Excess weight was observed in 41.3% (95% CI: 40.0-42.6), overweight in 23.2% (95% CI: 22.1-24.3) and obesity in 18.1% (95% CI: 17.2-19.1), with obesity being more prevalent in boys, overweight in girls. The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 23.2% (95% CI: 21.8-24.6). The prevalence of overweight and obesity increased with age. Excess weight decreased by 3.2% compared to 2011, mainly due to the decrease in overweight in boys, while that of obesity remained stable. Excess weight was more prevalent in schoolchildren from families with a lower socioeconomic level.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of excess weight in 6-9 year-old schoolchildren in Spain has decreased by 3.2% since 2011, due to the decrease in overweight, whilst obesity remained stable. Action must be taken in the obesogenic environment, by promoting healthy eating habits and physical activity, bearing in mind the inequalities in health.