Journal Article

Differences in weight status and energy-balance related behaviors among schoolchildren across Europe: The ENERGY-Project

Moreno, Luis, Manios, Yannis, Chinapaw, Mai J. M, Maskini, Victoria, Maes, Lea, Kovacs, Eva, Jan, Nataša, Singh, Amika S, De Bourdeaudhuij, Ilse, Lobstein, Tim, Brug, Johannes, van Stralen, Maartje M, Bere, Elling, Lien, Nanna, te Velde, Saskia J

2012

Overview

Background: Current data on the prevalence of overweight and energy-balance behaviors among European children is necessary to inform overweight prevention interventions. Methodology/Principal Findings: A school-based survey among 10–12 year old children was conducted in seven European countries using a standardized protocol. Weight, height, and waist circumference were measured; Engagement in physical activity, sedentary and dietary behaviors, and sleep duration were self-reported. Descriptive analyses were conducted, looking at differences according to country, gender, and parental education. 7234 children (52%girls; 11.6±0.7 years) participated. 25.8% and 5.4% of boys, and 21.8% and 4.1% of girls were overweight (including obese) and obese (according to International Obesity Task Force criteria), respectively. Higher prevalence of overweight/obesity was observed in Greece, Hungary, Slovenia and Spain than in Belgium, Netherlands and Norway. Large differences between countries were found in intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages, breakfast, active transport, TV and computer time. More favorable overweight status and behavior patterns were found in girls than boys and in children of higher educated parents than in children of lower educated parents. Conclusions/Significance: High levels and striking differences in overweight status and potential risk behaviors were found among schoolchildren across Europe.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Active transport / Analysis / Analysis of Variance / Behavior / Beverages / Body Height / Body Mass Index / Body Weight / Child / Child behavior / Child Behavior - physiology / Children / Children & youth / Clinical trials / Diet / Education / Educational Status / Elementary school students / Energy / Energy balance / Epidemiology / Europe - epidemiology / Exercise / Feeding Behavior - physiology / Female / Girls / Health care / Humans / Inner city / Male / Medical ethics / Medicine / Motor Activity / Multivariate Analysis / Nutrition / Obesity / Occupational health / Overweight / Overweight - epidemiology / Overweight - prevention & control / Parenting / Parents / Physical activity / Prevalence / Preventive medicine / Public health / Risk taking / School boards / Sex Factors / Sleep / Sociodemographics / Sugar / Surveys and Questionnaires / Validation studies / Waist Circumference