Prevalence of Overweight, Obesity, Abdominal Obesity, and Obesity-Related Risk Factors in Polish Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight, obesity, abdominal obesity (AO), and obesity-related risk factors in children aged 5–6 years from Poland. The study was conducted at 22 randomly selected kindergartens representing each city district. A cross-sectional study of 1172 children aged 5–6 years was conducted using questionnaire forms and physical measurements. The physical measurements included body height, weight, waist circumference (WC), and body fat percentage (BFP). A univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to evaluate the risk factors for excess weight, excess adiposity, and abdominal obesity (AO). The prevalence of excess weight (BMI ≥ 85th percentile) was 11.0%. The prevalence of excess adiposity (BFP ≥ 85th percentile) was 42.3%. Prevalence of AO (WC ≥ 90th percentile) was higher in girls compared to boys (14.9% vs. 10.7%, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that children whose both parents were obese had significantly higher risk of excess weight, excess adiposity, and AO. Lower education level of fathers was associated with higher risk of excess weight and excess adiposity in children, while a lower level of maternal education was associated with higher risk of AO in children. Screen time over 120 min per day, participating less than once a week in at least 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and birth weight over 4000 g were associated with excess weight, excess adiposity and AO. Moreover, cesarean delivery was associated with higher risk of excess weight and excess adiposity, and lower socio-economic status with higher risk of AO. This study revealed that excess adiposity and AO differed by gender. Parental obesity, screen time, MVPA, and birth weight could be significant determinants of excess weight, excess adiposity and AO in Polish preschool children.

Evaluation of Health-Promoting Behaviors in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases in the Preschool Children of Polish Health Care Professionals

“…That questions were adopted from a questionnaire used in the report by Fijałkowska et al [ 10 ]. Our results were compared with those presented in other population studies [ 10 , 11 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

“…Likewise, in girls, 6.8% were overweight and 4.9% were obese. The authors found a non-significant trend in the prevalence of overweight and obesity, defined according to the BMI, in both genders [ 11 ].…”

“…The Mother’s and Child Institute in Warsaw published a report that focuses on the assessment of physical activity in the developing population [ 10 ]. A number of studies have been carried out to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschool children both in Poland and in neighboring countries [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. The ToyBox cross-sectional study compared levels of energy-balance-related behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior, and dietary behaviors in four- to six-year-old preschoolers from six European countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Poland, and Spain) [ 14 ].…”

Relationship between caesarean section delivery and risk of overweight/obesity among children aged 6–23 months in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana

“…It is also important to note that the present study was conducted in predominately urban area of the region where food security and the use of milk substitute is likely to be higher than rural area where the previous two studies were conducted. The higher prevalence could also be explained by the rise in the level of CS delivery as reported in Ghana maternal and child health survey 2017 (2) and which is reported as a risk factor for overweight/obesity among preschool children in recent study undertaken in Poland (24) . Overall about 3 % of Ghanaian children under 5 years were reported overweight in Ghana demography and health survey 2014 (22) which is consistent with the finding of the present study.…”

Associations between Frequency of Dairy Intake with Body Composition and Excess Adiposity in Preschool Children from Poland

“…The study was conducted from October to November in each year from 2018 to 2019. The details of the study design and a partial analysis have been reported elsewhere [6].…”