Hostname: page-component-89b8bd64d-dvtzq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-05-07T07:27:27.452Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Prevalence and risk factors for obesity in Balearic Islands adolescents

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 August 2009

Maria del Mar Bibiloni
Affiliation:
Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of Balearic Islands, Guillem Colom Building, Campus, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Elisa Martinez
Affiliation:
Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of Balearic Islands, Guillem Colom Building, Campus, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Rosa Llull
Affiliation:
Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of Balearic Islands, Guillem Colom Building, Campus, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Maria Daniela Juarez
Affiliation:
Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of Balearic Islands, Guillem Colom Building, Campus, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Antoni Pons
Affiliation:
Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of Balearic Islands, Guillem Colom Building, Campus, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Josep A. Tur*
Affiliation:
Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of Balearic Islands, Guillem Colom Building, Campus, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
*
*Corresponding author: Dr Josep A. Tur, fax +34 971 173184, email pep.tur@uib.es
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The aim of this work was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of obesity in the Balearic Islands' adolescents. A cross-sectional nutritional survey was carried out in the Balearic Islands (2007–2008). A random sample (n 1231) of the adolescent population (12–17 year old) was interviewed. Anthropometric measurements, two non-consecutive 24 h recalls and a general questionnaire incorporating questions related to sociodemographic and lifestyle variables including the physical activity questionnaire were used. The prevalence of overweight was 19·9 % (boys) and 15·5 % (girls), and obesity 12·7 % (boys) and 8·5 % (girls). The main risk factors associated with a higher prevalence of obesity were low parental education level (boys OR: 3·47; 95 % CI: 1·58, 7·62; girls OR: 3·29; 95 % CI: 1·38, 7·89), to skip meals (boys OR: 4·99; 95 % CI: 2·1, 11·54; girls OR: 2·20; 95 % CI: 0·99, 4·89), age (12–13-year-old boys; OR: 2·75; 95 % CI: 1·14, 6·64), attention to mass media (television (TV)+radio; boys OR: 1·50; 95 % CI: 0·81, 2·84; girls OR: 2·06; 95 % CI: 0·91, 4·68), short sleep (boys OR: 3·42; 95 % CI: 0·88, 13·26), low parental socioeconomic status (girls OR: 3·24, 95% CI: 1·04, 10·05 ) and smoking (girls OR: 2·51; 95 % CI: 0·88, 7·13). A programme of action including school healthy education and promotion programmes targeted at parents and adolescents are needed. These programmes may be mainly focused to increase educational level, to make the adolescents to be aware of to skip meals and to smoke are not appropriate methods to reduce the risk of obesity, but the usefulness is to do not eat while watching TV, to sleep 8–10 h/d and to be physically active.

Information

Type
Full Papers
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2009
Figure 0

Table 1 Anthropometric characteristics and prevalence of obesity and overweight of study participants(Mean values and standard deviations or percentages)

Figure 1

Table 2 Sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics of non-obese (BMI(OR and 95 % CI values)

Figure 2

Table 3 Energy and nutrient intakes and selected food group consumption in non-obese (BMI(Mean values and standard deviations)