Energy Balance–Related Behaviors, Perinatal, Sociodemographic, and Parental Risk Factors Associated with Obesity in Italian Preschoolers

Abstract

Though exclusive formula or mixed feeding represents an age-specific risk factor for overweight/obesity, lifestyle factors associated with increased risk in Italian preschoolers include habits that are common to school-age children, such as skipping breakfast and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. The reduced consumption of meat emerged as a risk factor for overweight/obesity, but future research is required to better understand this relationship. Our data suggest, on the whole, that prevention of such unhealthy behaviors must be pursued in preschoolers by means of age-specific interventions.

Prevalence of obesity, overweight, underweight, and stunting among school children in Argo city, Northern Sudan

“…Our study also showed that the prevalence rate of underweight and severe underweight was comparatively lower than the prevalence rate reported in the rural area in the same province [7] and other regions of Sudan [17,18]. This growth status indicates that the nutritional status of our cohort who lives in this urban area is better than that of rural children in the same area.…”

“…It is clear that lifestyle, feeding habits, education of the parents, and socioeconomic status affect the obesity prevalence more than color, race, or genetic factors [15][16][17][18]. Unlike the pattern in developed countries, the education level of the parents in the developing countries similar to Sudan showed a high incidence of overweight in children of highly educated parents [15][16][17][18].…”

“…It is clear that lifestyle, feeding habits, education of the parents, and socioeconomic status affect the obesity prevalence more than color, race, or genetic factors [15][16][17][18]. Unlike the pattern in developed countries, the education level of the parents in the developing countries similar to Sudan showed a high incidence of overweight in children of highly educated parents [15][16][17][18]. This may be attributed to the fact that a high caloric diet and fast food are easily accessible to high socioeconomic group compared with poor families in the developing countries [15][16][17][18].…”

“…Unlike the pattern in developed countries, the education level of the parents in the developing countries similar to Sudan showed a high incidence of overweight in children of highly educated parents [15][16][17][18]. This may be attributed to the fact that a high caloric diet and fast food are easily accessible to high socioeconomic group compared with poor families in the developing countries [15][16][17][18]. However, in developed countries, fast food is affordable for the majority of the population, while a healthy balanced diet is more expensive [15][16][17][18][19].…”

“…This may be attributed to the fact that a high caloric diet and fast food are easily accessible to high socioeconomic group compared with poor families in the developing countries [15][16][17][18]. However, in developed countries, fast food is affordable for the majority of the population, while a healthy balanced diet is more expensive [15][16][17][18][19].…”