Socioeconomic inequalities in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among portuguese preschool‐aged children: changes from 2009 to 2016

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...

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Published in:American journal of human biology 2022-01, Vol.34 (1), p.e23582-n/a
Main Authors: Rodrigues, Daniela, Costa, Diogo, Gama, Augusta, Machado‐Rodrigues, Aristides M., Nogueira, Helena, Silva, Maria Raquel, Rosado‐Marques, Vítor, Padez, Cristina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Body mass
Body Mass Index
Body size
Body weight
Child
Child, Preschool
Children
Cross-Sectional Studies
Education
Educational Status
Humans
Obesity
Overweight
Overweight - epidemiology
Pediatric Obesity - epidemiology
Portugal - epidemiology
Prevalence
Socioeconomic Factors
Socioeconomics
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1042-0533
1520-6300
DOI:10.1002/ajhb.23582