Prevalence of Childhood Obesity in Portugal by Geographic Regions. A comparison using three definition criteria

Abstract

Introduction: Previous studies showed that the estimated prevalence of childhood overweight was over 30%, being the one out of five countries with higher prevalence in Europe. Methods: Children´s obesity prevalence estimate was obtained from the first data collection (2008) of the new National Nutritional Surveillance System-COSI Portugal among the seven geographic Regions and compared by three diagnostic criteria. 3812 children (6-9 years old) were enrolled from 181 schools (national representative sample) with 50% of boys. Results: The mean crude prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity varied from 1%, 2% and 5%; 28%; 32% and 38% and 9%, 14% and 15% according to IOTF (2000), CDC (2000) and WHO (2007) criteria respectively. For all criteria used, prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher in boys than girls and the differences between sex were statistically significant (p< 0,05). The Region of Azores was the one that presented the highest prevalence of overweight children (IOTF: 36%; CDC:41%; WHO: 47%), and Algarve the one with the lowest (IOTF: 16%; CDC: 19%; WHO: 21%). The differences among geographic regions were statistically significant (p<0,05). The multivariate analysis showed an higher risk of obesity in younger children, in boys and in Azores. Conclusion: These results reinforce that Portugal continues to be, one of the countries with the highest magnitude of childhood obesity. The reference used to define is important, since it provides different estimates. Comparative prevalence of overweight children among geographic regions showed significant differences. These results are important for policy makers to appropriately tackling obesity.