Socioeconomic inequalities in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Portuguese preschool‐aged children

Changes from 2009 to 2016

Bibliographic Data

ID19458641
AuthorsDaniela Rodrigues (0000-0002-9133-9426, Research Centre for Anthropology and Health University of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal, corresponding author), Diogo Costa (0000-0001-9696-7088, Research Centre for Anthropology and Health University of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal), Augusta Gama (0000-0003-2143-8602, Research Centre for Anthropology and Health University of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal), Aristides M Machado‐rodrigue (0000-0002-7169-8034, Research Centre for Anthropology and Health University of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal), Helena Nogueira (0000-0001-5724-3538, Research Centre for Anthropology and Health University of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal), Maria‐raquel G Silva (0000-0001-8170-3119, Research Centre for Anthropology and Health University of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal), Vítor Rosado‐marque (0000-0003-4343-6624, Research Centre for Anthropology and Health University of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal), Cristina Padez (0000-0002-1967-3497, Research Centre for Anthropology and Health University of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal)
Year2022
Volume34
Issue1
Pagese23582-e23582
Publication date2022-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Human Biology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1042-0533 • E-ISSN: 1520-6300
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajhb.23582
PMID33634924
OpenAlexW3133318447
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited12

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated, for the first time in Portugal, the prevalence of overweight and obesity according to parental education in a population of preschool-aged Portuguese children in 2009/2010 and 2016/2017. METHODS: Anthropometric data were collected in public and private preschools (n = 1996 in 2009/2010; n = 2077 in 2016/2017). Body mass index was calculated and weight status categories were based on the International Obesity Task Force cutoff points. Parental education level was self-reported. RESULTS: Prevalence of overweight (17.1%-14.1%; p < 0.001) and obesity (6.6%-3.9%, p < 0.001) was lower in 2016/2017 than in 2009/2010, with higher rates being found in the north of the country. Parental education was significantly associated with childhood overweight and obesity and inequalities between low- and high-education increased between the two periods. CONCLUSIONS: While a decrease in childhood overweight and obesity were positive findings, the prevalence is still high and shows pronounced socioeconomic differences. Policies for obesity prevention need to be inclusive and tackle inequalities, with interventions tailored to suit local contexts

Anthropometry · Body mass index · Childhood obesity · Environmental health · Inequality · Obesity · Overweight · Population · Portuguese · Psychological intervention · Public health · Socioeconomic status · Sociology · Child and Adolescent Health · Children's Physical and Motor Development · Demography · Mathematics · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Endocrinology · Gerontology