Prevalence of simple obesity and its high-risk factors in preschool children in Fuzhou, China

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the prevalence of simple obesity and its risk factors in preschool children in Fuzhou, China. Methods The physical examination data of 14 kindergartens in Fuzhou, China were collected by stratified cluster random sampling. The detection rate of simple obesity was calculated. The children with normal body weight were selected as the control group by 1:1 case-control method. The risk factors for childhood simple obesity were investigated by self-made questionnaire and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 5767 children aged 3-6 years were enrolled in this study. A total of 289 (5.01%) children with simple obesity were screened out, including 153 with mild obesity and 136 with moderate to severe obesity. The prevalence rate of simple obesity gradually increased with the age of children. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the following factors were independent risk factors for simple obesity:preference for fried food (OR=4.789, P < 0.05), caregivers' over-concern about diet (OR=4.620, P < 0.05), eating before sleep (OR=4.006, P < 0.05), eating fast (OR=3.221, P < 0.05), preference for sweets (OR=2.282, P < 0.05), high birth weight (OR=2.202, P < 0.05), overweight or obesity in father (OR=2.074, P < 0.05), overweight or obesity in mother (OR=2.047, P < 0.05), more than 1.2 times the food intake at the same age (OR=2.013, P < 0.05), watching TV (OR=1.665, P < 0.05), and lack of exercise (OR=1.463, P < 0.05). Conclusions The prevalence rate of simple obesity is 5.01% in preschool children in Fuzhou, China. The development of simple obesity is multifactorial. It is suggested that doctors, parents, and teachers should strengthen health education for preschool children, help them develop good living and eating habits, and encourage them to take more exercise, in order to reduce the development of simple obesity.