Association of environmental factors with overweight and obesity in preschool and primary school children

Abstract

Aim. The aim of work was to study the existing environmental risk factors for overweight and obesity in preschool and primary school children living in Novosibirsk.Material and Methods. The study included 56 patients who visited a pediatrician or endocrinologist in Clinic of New Medical Technology Center, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine. We used the individual food preference questionnaire developed based on the most common foods affecting body weight gain according to data of World Health Organization (WHO). Physical inactivity was assessment using a questionnaire developed based on the materials the International Physical Activity Prevalence Study. Children were divided into groups according consumption of carbohydrates: group 1 comprised children with excess consumption of carbohydrates; children of group 2 consumed normal amount of carbohydrates. The examined children included 21 children with normal body weight (10 boys and 11 girls with the average age of 7.19 ± 0.56 years); 35 children were overweight/obese (15 boys and 20 girls with the average age of 7.37 ± 0.35 years). A group of children with sleep time less than eight hours was assigned depending on sleep duration assessment.Results and discussion. The study included 56 children including 21 patients with normal body weight (37.5%), seven overweight children (12.5%), and 28 obese children (50%). The following significant differences were found between groups of obese and control children: physical inactivity was detected in 71.4% out of 35 obese children and in 23.8% of children in control group (p < 0.005, χ2 = 10.12). Sleep duration less than eight hours was observed in 34.3% of obese children and in 4.7% of healthy children (p < 0.01). Excessive consumption of carbohydrates was observed in 65.7% of obese children and in 19% of children with normal weight (p < 0.001). Intake of complex carbohydrates was approximately the same in both groups.Conclusion. We identified the following risk factors for overweight and obesity in our study: (1) factors contributing to obesity were physical inactivity, excessive consumption of carbohydrates, and impaired sleep-wakefulness pattern due to decrease in sleep time at night less than eight hours; (2) consumption of recommended amounts of fresh fruits and berries was protective against overweight and obesity.