Background: The WHO considers obesity a global epidemic. The Lancet Report in 2011 analyzes: the evolution of the epidemic, the obesity trends in the US and UK and their impact on the prevalence of disease. Children and adolescents, under the age of 18 years, are about 170 million. Particular attention is given to children in Italy in the investigation of the "Okkio alla Salute" conducted under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, which defines a system to monitor weight status. Objective: This paper propose an initial assessment of the distribution of excess weight in children 8 and 9 years in Apulia (South Italy) and its possible link for both the conditions of greater or less geographic isolation of cities and the urbanization process. Methods: We carried out anthropometric measurements (weight and height and BMI) using scales with an accuracy of 50 grams and stadiometers with an accuracy of 1 mm. For the definition of underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity we used the threshold values derived by Cole T.J. et al. . Questionnaires were administered to parents in order to assess the lifestyles of children. Results: It seems that in small towns the most geographically isolated, excess weight reaches its extreme values (minus/plus). When the population grows the trend of excess weight is closer to the average of the entire regional population. Conclusion: The trend of excess weight observed, aims to describe a staging of phenomenon linked to the geographical characteristics of places. Further studies are already underway.
On the Distribution of Children Excess Weight in Apulia (South Italy)
AMATO, Pancrazio;
2012-01-01
Abstract
Background: The WHO considers obesity a global epidemic. The Lancet Report in 2011 analyzes: the evolution of the epidemic, the obesity trends in the US and UK and their impact on the prevalence of disease. Children and adolescents, under the age of 18 years, are about 170 million. Particular attention is given to children in Italy in the investigation of the "Okkio alla Salute" conducted under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, which defines a system to monitor weight status. Objective: This paper propose an initial assessment of the distribution of excess weight in children 8 and 9 years in Apulia (South Italy) and its possible link for both the conditions of greater or less geographic isolation of cities and the urbanization process. Methods: We carried out anthropometric measurements (weight and height and BMI) using scales with an accuracy of 50 grams and stadiometers with an accuracy of 1 mm. For the definition of underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity we used the threshold values derived by Cole T.J. et al. . Questionnaires were administered to parents in order to assess the lifestyles of children. Results: It seems that in small towns the most geographically isolated, excess weight reaches its extreme values (minus/plus). When the population grows the trend of excess weight is closer to the average of the entire regional population. Conclusion: The trend of excess weight observed, aims to describe a staging of phenomenon linked to the geographical characteristics of places. Further studies are already underway.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
