Differential Impact of Parental BMI and Diet on Overweight and Obesity in Young School Children in Southern Brazil
Emil Kupek *
Department of Public Health, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Campus Universitario Reitor João David Ferreira Lima, Trindade, CEP 88040-900, Florianopolis-SC, Brazil
Maria Alice Altenburg de Assis
Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis-SC, Brazil.
Filipe Ferreira Costa
Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis-SC, Brazil.
Danielle Biazzi Leal
Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis-SC, Brazil.
Raquel Engel
Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis-SC, Brazil.
Wolney Lisboa Conde
Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, CEP 01246-904, São Paulo, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: To analyze simultaneous impact of biological, socioeconomic and behavioral determinants of excess weight in schoolchildren.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study based on a representative sample of schoolchildren from 2nd to 5th grades of elementary school.
Place and Duration of Study: City of Florianopolis, Brazil, 2007.
Methodology: A representative sample of 1232 schoolchildren aged 7-10 years had their weight and height measured. Their diet and physical activity, as well as parental height, weight and income were all self-reported. Multinomial regression analysis was used to allow for differential impact of child diet on overweight without obesity versus obesity.
Results: Different food groups were associated with overweight without obesity compared to obesity and some of these were gender-specific. Maternal BMI modified these associations to some extent and exerted highly significant influence on child nutritional status both for overweight and obesity, whereas paternal BMI was significant only for the latter. Physical activity and family socioeconomic status had a limited impact once parental BMI was taken into account.
Conclusion: Some markers of unhealthy diet are specific to gender and to the level of excess weight in young schoolchildren. Maternal BMI is one of the key determinants of excess weight in schoolchildren.
Keywords: Overweight, obesity, children, diet, physical activity, questionnaires