Interaction between Geographical Areas and Family Environment of Dietary Habits, Physical Activity, Nutritional Knowledge and Obesity of Adolescents

Bibliographic Data

ID15463307
AuthorsAlessio Pellegrino (0000-0003-3768-8630, University of Florence, corresponding author), Samuele Bacci (University of Florence), Francesco Guido (University of Florence), Andrea Zoppi (University of Florence), Loira Toncelli (0000-0002-7043-6710, University of Florence), Laura Stefani (0000-0002-2981-0424, University of Florence), Maria Boddi (0000-0001-6960-1080, University of Florence), Alessandra Modesti (0000-0002-1290-2285, University of Florence), Pietro Amedeo Modesti (0000-0002-9511-2173, University of Florence)
Year2023
Volume20
Issue2
Pages1157-1157
Publication date2023-01-09
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph20021157
PMID36673912
OpenAlexW4313826645
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited35

There are marked differences in the regional distribution of childhood obesity in Italy. This study sought to investigate the interaction between geographical areas and family environment of dietary habits, physical activity, nutritional knowledge and obesity of adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 426 school-aged children and 298 parents residing in Central Italy (Florence, Tuscany) and Southern Italy (Corigliano, Calabria), in 2021. Survey questionnaire investigated anthropometry, eating behavior, nutritional knowledge and physical activity. BMI was determined and compared with reference percentile charts for adolescents. Multivariate regression analyses showed that: (1) an adolescent's BMI was directly influenced by their parents' BMI independently of parental nutritional knowledge and dietary or physical activity habits; (2) parents transmitted eating or physical activity habits to their children; (3) the geographic region of residence is not in itself an independent determinant of children's BMI. The clear message is that prevention of childhood obesity should consider family-based approaches. Parental obesity can be the point of convergence of the complex interactions between a parent's and child's habits and should be one of the most important factors to look for

Anthropometry · Body mass index · Childhood obesity · Environmental health · Obesity · Overweight · Percentile · Physical activity · Residence · Demography · Health and Lifestyle Studies · Medicine · Nutritional Studies and Diet · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Gerontology