Trends in childhood and adolescent obesity prevalence in Oviedo (Asturias, Spain) 1992-2006.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse obesity and overweight prevalence trend in Oviedo (Spain) during the last 14 years.


METHODS
Two cross-sectional studies were conducted in the same five public schools of the urban area of Oviedo in 1992 and 2004-06. One thousand one hundred sixty-five children and young adults between the age of 6 and 17 years were studied in 1992 and 1312 in 2004-06. Obesity and overweight were defined according to the International Obesity Task Force cut-off values.


RESULTS
Body mass index (BMI) values (20.5+/-3.6 vs. 20.1+/-3.3 p=0.02) and obesity prevalence (6.3% vs. 4.5% p<0.05) were significantly higher in the 2004-06 cohort, while overweight prevalence showed a non-significant increase. Obesity prevalence increased in both sexes in the 6-11-year group. In adolescent females, a four-fold increase was observed, from 0.9% in 1992 (95% CI: -0.1 to 1.9) to 3.8% in 2004-06 (95% CI: 1.8-6). A slight non-significant decrease was observed in adolescent males (6.6% in 1992 to 5.8% in 2004-06).


CONCLUSIONS
Obesity and overweight are increasing in children and adolescents in Oviedo at a level similar to that observed in studies conducted in developed countries. This obesity epidemic is becoming an important public health issue.
Martín
Juan José Díaz
JJ
Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital San Agustín, Avilés, Spain. jjdiaz@telecable.es
Hernández
Laura Somalo
LS
Gonzalez
Mónica García
MG
Mendez
Carmen Perillán
CP
Rey Galán
Corsino
C
Guerrero
Serafín Málaga
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology