Overweight and Obesity Prevalence in Young Children Living in Athens

Background: The last decades, the epidemiological dimensions of childhood obesity are of major concern worldwide. Given its long-term health consequences, research findings regarding overweight and obesity prevalence in young children are valuable if policies against childhood obesity are to be planned and implemented. As Greece, is one of the countries facing the problem of obesity, the aim of the present study was to assess overweight and obesity status in young children living in the capital of Greece, Athens. Methods: Seven hundred and fifty-two children (320 boys; 432 girls), aged 4-8 years (6.37±1.17 years) volunteered to participate and were divided into four age groups (4-5, 5-6, 6-7 and 7-8-year-old). Children’s body mass index (BMI) was calculated by dividing each participant’s weight (kg) by the square of standing body height (m2). Overweight and obesity definition was based on the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) genderand age-specific cut-off criteria. Results: The overall prevalence of overweight was 18.2% (18.1% boys; 18.3% girls) and of obesity 7.4% (5.6% boys; 8.8% girls). The χ2 tests revealed that there were no significant differences in prevalence of overweight or obesity between boys and girls (χ2=2.76, p=.25). Regarding age groups, there was only one significant difference; that was between 6 and 7-year-old boys, with the 7-year-old surpassing the 6-year-old. Conclusions: The overweight/obesity is apparent among young Greek children at alarming levels. Carefully designed policy interventions are of great importance in order children’s dietary and physical activity patterns to be improved.