Prevalence and socio-demographic associations of undernutrition and obesity among preschool children in Cyprus.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of undernutrition and obesity in preschool children in Cyprus and identify possible associations.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Private and public nursery schools.


METHODS
A representative sample (n=1412) stratified by age, gender, district and area of residence.


METHODS
Weight (kg) and height (cm) were obtained and BMI (kg/m2) was calculated. Z scores for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height were calculated using the cutoffs from the CDC/WHO 1978 reference. Socio-demographic associations with nutritional status were examined in a logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
The prevalence of undernutrition (WHO definition, Z-scores <-2) was low. Specifically the prevalence of underweight was 2.3%, wasting 2.8%, and stunting 1.1%. Undernutrition was associated with a low birth weight (LBW); odds ratio (OR) for underweight 4.1 (95% CI: 1.4, 12.2), P=0.012, stunting 5.2 (95% CI: 1.1, 23.3), P=0.033, and wasting 4.2 (95% CI: 1.3, 14.3), P=0.021. The prevalence of obesity (IOTF definition) was higher than undernutrition, and increased with age: 1.3% in 2 y olds to 10.4% in 6 y olds. Overweight and obesity prevalence were higher in rural (16.1%) than urban children (12.8%; P=0.046). Obesity in preschool children was associated with paternal obesity, OR 3.24 (95% CI: 1.59, 6.61), P=0.001, and maternal obesity 3.91 (95% CI: 1.78, 8.59), P=0.001. A birth weight (BW)> or =4000 g was associated with obesity compared to a BW between 2501 and 3000 g, OR 7.63 (95% CI: 1.91, 30.52), P=0.004.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of undernutrition among preschool children in Cyprus was low but obesity prevalence was higher. Parental obesity and high BW were significantly associated with obesity while LBW was associated with undernutrition in preschool children.
Savva
S C
SC
Research and Education Foundation of Child Health, Nicosia, Cyprus. samar1@cytanet.com.cy
Tornaritis
M
M
Chadjigeorgiou
C
C
Kourides
Y A
YA
Savva
M E
ME
Panagi
A
A
Chrictodoulou
E
E
Kafatos
A
A
D017677:Age Distribution; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003535:Cyprus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010290:Parents; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019282:Wasting Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology