title: Overweight and obesity in school age children in western Romania.
abstract: Obesity prevalence in both adults and children has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Romania seems to follow the same trend, but studies proving this fact are scarce. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and to find correlations to certain health-risk behaviors in children from western Romania.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, a total of 3626 children aged 7-18 years were examined by medical students (February 2010- June 2011). Children were classified by their body mass index using International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) reference. The children were asked to complete a short questionnaire inquiring about 5 health-risk behaviors: consumption of fast-food, sweetened beverages, sweets and fruits and about physical exercise.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of overweight was 18.2% (16.2% in girls and 20.7% in boys) and 7.2% for obesity (5.8% in girls and 9.0% in boys). The prevalence of both overweight and obesity was higher in boys versus girls and rural versus urban. Overweight and obesity was correlated with the consumption of sweetened beverages and sweets and also with sedentary behavior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of overweight and obesity children is alarming, particularly in boys, higher in rural versus urban. The findings confirm the urgent need for national preventive strategy for childhood obesity and targeted interventions tailored to local circumstances.
authors: Pediatrics Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Victor Babes Timisoara, Romania.
authors: Adela Chirita
authors: AC
authors: Emandi
authors: Genetics Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Victor Babes Timisoara, Romania.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Puiu
authors: Pediatrics Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Victor Babes Timisoara, Romania.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Gafencu
authors: Pediatrics Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Victor Babes Timisoara, Romania.
authors: Corina
authors: C
authors: Pienar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012574:Schools; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*