Type of delivery, birthweight, breastfeeding and overweight: the 2019 Italian results

• Published in: European journal of public health 2023-10, Vol.33 (Supplement_2)
• Main Authors: Nardone, P, Ciardullo, S, Spinelli, A, Buoncristiano, M, Andreozzi, S, Bucciarelli, M, Salvatore, M A, Galeone, D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Poster Displays
• ISSN: 1101-1262; 1464-360X
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckad160.1510

Abstract Introduction According to recent studies, childhood obesity can be affected by type of delivery, birthweight and breastfeeding. The data from the surveillance system OKkio alla SALUTE, coordinated by the Italian National Institute of Health, have been used to investigate this association. OKkio alla SALUTE, promoted by the Italian Ministry of Health, is part of the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative. Methods The study population are children aged 8 or 9 years in the third grade of all primary schools. A stratified cluster sample design, with class as the sampling unit, was used. Children were weighed and measured by trained local health staff and were classified as overweight or obese using the age and sex-specific International Obesity Task Force cut-offs. Parents of children completed a brief questionnaire to assess risk behavior, including information about the birth and the first few months of life of their child. Results In 2019, the sixth round of data collection involved 47,219 children and 50,370 parents with a response rate higher than 94%. 20.4% (95% CI 19.9-20.9) of 8-9 years old children were overweight and 9.4% (95% CI 9.0-9.7) were obese. The prevalence of obesity has decreased steadily since 2008 to 2019. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher for children born by caesarean section (33% vs 27% by vaginal childbirth), increased with birthweight (for birthweight >4,000 kg: 39.4% vs for birthweight