title: [Prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren in rural areas].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren in rural areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of 1,513 schoolchildren aged 6, 11 and 14 years. Data were collected on height and weight with digital scales equipped with a measuring rod. We used three criteria to define overweight and obesity: Cole's points, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria and Hernandez's tables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When Cole's points were used, 24.6% (95%CI: 22.5 - 26.8) were overweight and 11.6% (95%CI: 10-13.3) were obese; these percentages were higher in children aged 11 and 6 years, respectively. According CDC growth charts, 19.8% of children (95%CI: 17.9-21.9) were overweight and 16.5% (95%CI: 14.7-18.4) were obese, corresponding to higher percentages at 14 and 6 years. When Hernandez's tables were used, 11.5% (95%CI: 10-13.2) were overweight and 18.6% (95%CI: 16.7-20.6) were obese, and both disorders were higher in children aged 11 years. The risk of obesity and overweight was higher in small rural areas (<5,000 people), with OR = 1.49 (95%CI: 1.13-1.95) and OR = 1.33 (95%CI: 1.06-1.67), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren in rural areas is very high and is even higher in towns with less than 5,000 inhabitants.
authors.affiliation: Dirección Médica, Hospital de Riotinto, Servicio Andaluz de Salud, Huelva, España. mvcoronado@msn.com
authors.forename: Valle
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Coronado Vázquez
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Odero Sobrado
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Canalejo González
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cidoncha Pérez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health