Weight status of European preschool children and associations with family demographics and energy balance‐related behaviours: a pooled analysis of six European studies

Abstract

This study aimed to (i) gain insight in the prevalence of overweight indices in European preschoolers (4-7 years); (ii) identify energy balance-related behaviours associated with overweight/obesity; and (iii) identify children at risk for overweight/obesity. Secondary analyses of six European data sets were conducted according to standardized protocols. Based on objectively measured height and weight, prevalence of overweight and obesity across the countries ranged from 8% to 30% and 1% to 13%, respectively, with highest rates in Southern European countries (i.e. Spain and Greece). Positive associations between sedentary behaviours and overweight indices were found. Physical activity and dietary behaviours were not associated, possibly because of methodological limitations. Children of parents with high body mass index or low socioeconomic status were at increased risk of overweight/obesity. In conclusion, large differences in prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschoolers across Europe were observed. Future obesity prevention interventions in preschoolers should target screen time giving specific attention to children from overweight and/or low socioeconomic status parents. There is a need for high methodological quality studies, preferably with a long-term prospective design using sensitive, valid and reliable measures of behaviours, assessing whether and which physical activity and dietary behaviours are associated with overweight in preschoolers.

Perinatal and lifestyle factors mediate the association between maternal education and preschool children's weight status: the ToyBox study

“…We also did not find any significant association between exclusive breastfeeding and overweight/obesity, which is in line with the systematic review of systematic reviews by Patro-Gołąb et al [26] and indicates that in addition to feeding practices during infancy (i.e., breastfeeding or formula feeding) there are also other EBRBs occurring after the initiation of complementary feeding that may exert an equally significant effect on children's weight status. Regarding the EBRBs assessed in our study, the time preschoolers spend engaged in active play and screen-related activities were found to be associated with preschoolers' overweight/obesity, a finding that has also been confirmed by other previous studies conducted with preschool children [6,27]. The associations of preschoolers' overweight and obesity with region and parental weight status retained their statistical significance after controlling for perinatal factors and children's EBRBs.…”

“…Lastly, mothers of lower education have been previously reported not to set any rules to control the time their young children are engaged in screenrelated activities (e.g., TV watching) because this is usually a convenient way of babysitting or calming down their children [30]. Increased screen time, however, is among the EBRBs that have been most strongly associated with overweight and/or obesity in various life stages [27,31].…”

Prácticas de alimentación, actividad física y condición física de niños preescolares españoles. Influencia de variables sociodemográficas

“…16 Además, el tiempo de uso diario de pantallas fue superior al tiempo semanal de AF, lo que, unido a la alta prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en relación con los datos de referencia de De Onis et al, 17 expuso una población muy sensible a problemas de salud relacionados con el sobrepeso y el sedentarismo. En este sentido, Van Stralen et al, 18 destacaron una asociación positiva entre el comportamiento sedentario, principalmente, el tiempo de uso de pantallas, y el IMC y la circunferencia de la cintura. Hinkley et al, 19 indicaron que la mayoría de los niños pequeños no participaban en las cantidades adecuadas de AF y sí en cantidades excesivas de uso de pantallas.…”

Feeding practices, physical activity, and fitness in Spanish preschoolers. Influence of sociodemographic outcome measures

“…16 In addition, daily screen time was longer than weekly time devoted to PA; this together with a high overweight and obesity prevalence as per reference data by De Onis et al, 17 indicated that this population is highly sensitive to health problems related to overweight and a sedentary lifestyle. In this regard, Van Stralen et al 18 highlighted a positive association among a sedentary lifestyle -mainly screen time-and BMI and waist circumference. Hinkley et al 19 indicated that most young children did not take part in adequate PA but spent excessive time in front of a screen.…”