Prevalence of Obesity in the Under-Fives and Its Association with Marketed Foods and Beverages for Children and Anxiety in Mothers

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity is a significant public health issue across the world. Inappropriate marketing of commercial milk formula (CMF) and unhealthy foods and beverages to young children has been found to be associated with the emergence of obesity in young children. Additionally, maternal anxiety and the stress they place on children has been suggested to influence eating habits of children. Objective: To investigate obesity prevalence in children aged 2-5 years and its association with early feeding practices and inappropriate marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages, as well as the anxiety levels of their mothers. Patients and Methods: This study employed a combination of cross-sectional and case-control study designs to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children aged 2-5 years in Qalyubia Governorate, as well as the associations between overweight/obesity and the marketing of breast-milk substitutes and unhealthy foods. The research was divided into two distinct phases. In the first phase, a survey was conducted among 1000 mother-child pairs from nurseries in the nine districts of Qalyubia. The second phase involved a case-control study, with 100 obese children and 100 non-obese children being included for analysis. Results: Overweight (W/A and BMI >+2 Z-scores) and obesity (W/A and BMI > +3 Z-scores) was identified in 15.4% and 4.2% respectively; and stunting (L-HL/A >-2 Z-scores) in 47%. Children who were not breastfed or breastfed for shorter durations had higher obesity and overweight rates. 78% of the obese children and 69.5% of the overweight were not breastfed or breastfed for less than one year and stunting in the non-breastfed was15%. Food preference for fast foods was 95.2% among obese compared to 57.8% in normal weight. One third consumed fruits and vegetables, while one half consumed fast foods (51%). Exposure to advertisements for fast foods was highest by T.V. (53.3%) and display in the shops 28.5% compared to 17.5% for fruits. Conclusions: The findings highlight the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children aged 2-5 years and its association with the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages. Maternal anxiety also appears to play a role in children's weight status.