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Obesity of Czech children and adolescents: relation to parental obesity and socioeconomic factors

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to estimate the change in overweight and obesity prevalence and the influence of socioeconomic status and parental obesity on overweight and obesity of children and adolescents in the Czech Republic. The roles of family history of obesity, dietary factors and physical activity were evaluated. The quota sample of 1,417 children and adolescents aged 6.00–17.99 years was examined in November 2005 as a part of the survey Lifestyle and Obesity. The quota sample was nationally representative, and subjects were selected according to the gender, age, region, size of residential location and education of parents. In the subjects weight, height and waist circumferences were measured and BMI was calculated. Food intake and physical activity were estimated by food frequency and physical activity questionnaires. The results were compared with the data from the 6th National Anthropological Survey of Children and Adolescents 2001, the Czech Republic. The data was evaluated by Pearson’s chi-square test and by linear regression analysis with backward factor reduction. Enhancing prevalence of obesity was found in younger age categories in comparison with the year 2001. Parental overweight and obesity significantly increased the risk of overweight and obesity. BMI in children (6–12.99 years) was associated with the intake of sweetened carbonated drinks and potatoes including fried ones (positive association) and low-sugar carbonated drinks and physical activity (negative association). In adolescents (13–17.99 years) BMI was associated with parental obesity, fat meat intake, time spent on the computer (positive association) and fish intake and physical activity (negative association). The results show an increase in obesity prevalence in younger children in the Czech Republic. Parental obesity significantly enhanced the risk ratio of obesity predominantly in adolescents.

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Abbreviations

BMI:

body mass index

FFQ:

Food Frequency Questionnaire

IOTF:

International Obesity Task Force

LO:

study Lifestyle and obesity

NAS:

National Anthropological Survey of Chidren and Adolescents

OR:

odds ratio

PAQ-A:

Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents

PAQ-C:

Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children

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Acknowledgement

The study was supported by the grant NR 7782-4 IGA from the Czech Ministry of Health.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors disclose any relevant associations that might pose a conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Obesity Management Centre, Institute of Endocrinology, Narodni 8, 116 94, Prague 1, Czech Republic

    M. Kunesova, J. Parízkova, V. Hainer, P. Hlavaty, P. Kalouskova, K. Hlavata & M. Wagenknecht

  2. National Institute of Public Health, Srobarova 48, 100 42, Praha 10, Czech Republic

    J. Vignerova

  3. WHO, Nam.Kinskych 6, 150 00, Praha 5, Czech Republic

    A. Steflová

  4. STEMMARK, Na Hrazi 17/176, 180 00, Praha 8, Czech Republic

    J. Lajka

  5. Faculty of Sciences, Department of Anthropology and Human Genetics, Vinicna 7, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic

    P. Blaha

Authors
  1. M. Kunesova
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  2. J. Vignerova
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  3. A. Steflová
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  4. J. Parízkova
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  5. J. Lajka
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  6. V. Hainer
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  7. P. Blaha
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  9. P. Kalouskova
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  10. K. Hlavata
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  11. M. Wagenknecht
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Correspondence to M. Kunesova.

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Kunesova, M., Vignerova, J., Steflová, A. et al. Obesity of Czech children and adolescents: relation to parental obesity and socioeconomic factors. J Public Health 15, 163–170 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-007-0110-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-007-0110-8

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