Sociodemographic, ethnic and dietary factors associated with childhood obesity in Thessaloniki, Northern Greece.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate sociodemographic, ethnic and dietary factors associated with the development of childhood obesity.


METHODS
276 children, aged 8-12 years, randomly selected from seven schools in Thessaloniki, Northern Greece, participated in the study. 13% of the children were immigrants from neighboring Balkan countries and ex-Soviet Union countries. Data was collected using specific validated questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements, dietary intake and physical activity assessment were carried out for all children.


RESULTS
26.1% of the boys and 22.4% of the girls were overweight and a further 11.6% of boys and 10.9% of girls were obese. The overweight and obesity rate was significantly lower in immigrants (10% and 3.3%) compared to Greeks (25.8% and 12.7%), p=0.024. Obese children compared to their non-obese counterparts a) had parents who were obese at a higher percentage (p=0.001), b) reported that food preparation was carried out by their grandmother (p=0.006) and c) had less pocket money (p=0.004). Daily energy and carbohydrate intakes were significantly higher in immigrants compared to Greeks (1611+/-599Kcal vs 1363+/-471Kcal, p=0.036 and 188.31+/-70.63g vs 149.87+/-56.41g, p=0.001) and the same was true for exercise (6.38+/-7.22 h/w vs 4.14+/-4.18 h/w, p=0.049).


CONCLUSIONS
In planning interventions for childhood obesity, sociodemographic factors in addition to food intake and physical activity patterns have to be considered.
Hassapidou
Maria
M
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Technological Educational Institution of Thessaloniki, Greece. mnhas@nutr.teithe.gr
Papadopoulou
Sousana K
SK
Frossinis
Athanasios
A
Kaklamanos
Ioannis
I
Tzotzas
Themistoklis
T
D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004435:Eating; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates