Obesity prevalence and risk factors in 3-6 years old children living in central districts of the Metropolitan, İzmir

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION: Overweight and obesity, defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health, create one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. 40 % of children, defined as overweight, continue gaining weight during adolescence and 77-85 % of them become obese adults. The aim of this study is evaluating the obesity prevalence and risk factors in three-six years old children living in central districts of the metropolitan, İzmir. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 130,714 children living in the central districts of our city (Balçova, Bornova, Buca, Çiğli, Gaziemir, Güzelbahçe, Karabağlar, Karşıyaka, Konak and Narlıdere) were included in this cross-sectional study. A total of 413 children were reached. Eight of them were excluded because of chronic diseases and/or medication related with obesity, thus data from 405 children were assessed. The dependant variable was presence of overweight and obesity, where as independent ones were sociodemographic status, perinatal and growth factors, dietary behaviors, screen time, attendance to a daycare or school and familial overweight and obesity. A questionnaire was completed with families. Weight and lenght of the children were measured, then BMI values were calculated. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square test and logistic regression model. OR were calculated for factors that cause risk for overweight and obesity. RESULTS: In our study group, whose mean age was 56,7±9,3 months, prevalence of overweight and obesity were % 10,4 and % 13,1, respectively. Gender was not significantly related with overweight and obesity (p=0,850). Birth weight (p=0,045), weight at one year of age (p=0,000), regular meal consumption (p=0,019), attendance to a school (p=0,016), paternal BMI values (p=0,000) and absence of familial health insurance (p=0,031) were significantly related with childhood overweight and obesity. When logistic regression model was performed, weight at one year of age (OO=1,390 % 95 GA=1,139-1,698 p=001), attendance to a school (OO=3,585 % 95 GA=1,445-8,894 p=0,006), absence of siblings (OO=0,562 % 95 GA=0,350-0,903 p=0,017) and absence of familial health insurance (OO=4,423 % 95 GA=1,010-19,364 p=0,048) were documented as risk factors. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Prevalence of overweight and obesity in our study group showed similarity with values obtained in developed countries. Weight at one year of age, attendance to a school, having no siblings and absence of familial health insurance were demonstrated as risk factors. We conclude that educational programs about healthy and balanced nutrition are necessary for parents, children and staff working at daycare centers and schools. Key words: Pediatric obesity, risk factors, prevalence