Risk factors for obesity in school children of Punta Arenas

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of obesity in first grade students of Punta Arenas and the associated risk factors.

Patients and Methods: A random stratified sample of 361 students, in which weight and height was measured and the nutritional condition was obtained by IMC according to MINSAL guidelines (CDC/NCHS). A survey was applied to the student and its family related to social variables, physical activity and food consumption.

Results: The obesity and overweight prevalence were 23,8% and 22%, respectively. Students watch television 3,0 ± 1,7 hours daily and practice physical activity 0,7 ± 1,4 hours weekly. Food consumption is unhealthy. Multivariable analysis demonstrated high risk of obesity with a mother's IMC ³ 25 (OR 2,8 IC 1,6-5,0), mother's age < 25 or ³ 40 years (OR 2,0 IC 1,2-3,3), > 4 hours TV/day (OR 1,7 IC 1,0-2,9) and having one more brother or being single son (OR 1,8 IC 1,1-3,1).

Conclusions: There is high prevalence of obesity in students of Punta Arenas and the proposed model allows to identify the groups of major risk.