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Notes:
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The aim is to assess the differences in frequency of school lunches, the adherence to the Mediterranean diet, sport practice and the parents’ educational level in school-age children according to their weight status. 352 school-age children recruited from schools in Catalonia participated (11.99 ± 1.5 years). Body weight status groups were grouped as follows: overweight and obese (OW/OB; n=175) versus normal weight (NW(Normal Weight); n=177). The percentage of NW children who had school lunches on weekdays was significantly (p <0.001) higher than the percentage of peer children with OW/OB. The percentage of OW/OB(Overweight and Obese) children who reported to practice structured sport was significantly lower (p<0.05) than in the NW children group and the mean time spent on it as well (2.05 ± 2.36 vs. 2.99 ± 3.03 hours/week; p<0.001, respectively). No differences were found in the parental studies or the Mediterranean diet variable between groups. The results support the role of the educator at school and it is suggested that a healthy and regulated food supply could favor lower adiposity in children. Promoting physical exercise at school could also help with the degree of obesity.
The authors are grateful to all the schools, children and their families for their participation, to the colleagues in Programa Nereu (Lleida, Catalonia) for their valuable contributions and the IDIAP – Jordi Gol Foundation. This study was supported by a grant from the Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia (INEFC), University of Lleida, Spain, (PRE/2730/2012, de 4 de desembre, DOGC NÚM. 6272 – 12.12.2012) |
