Original Communication
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005) 59, 1259–1265. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602237; published online 13 July 2005
Prevalence and socio-demographic associations of undernutrition and obesity among preschool children in Cyprus
Guarantor: SC Savva.
Contributors: SCS contributed to the design of the study, data collection, carried out the statistical analysis, interpreted results, and wrote the manuscript. MT contributed to the design of the study, helped with the interpretation of the results, and contributed to writing of the manuscript. CC contributed to the design of the study, data collection, and contributed to writing of the manuscript. YAK helped with data collection and contributed to writing of the manuscript. MES helped with data collection and contributed to writing of the manuscript. AP helped with data collection. EC helped with data collection. AK had the original idea, helped with the interpretation of the results, and helped to revise the manuscript.
S C Savva1, M Tornaritis1, C Chadjigeorgiou1, Y A Kourides1, M E Savva1, A Panagi1, E Chrictodoulou1 and A Kafatos2
- 1Research and Education Foundation of Child Health, Nicosia, Cyprus
- 2Preventive Medicine and Nutrition Clinic, Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece
Correspondence: SC Savva, 138 Limassol Ave., #205, 2015 Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus. E-mail: samar1@cytanet.com.cy
Received 14 November 2004; Revised 11 April 2005; Accepted 6 June 2005; Published online 13 July 2005.
Abstract
Objective:
To estimate the prevalence of undernutrition and obesity in preschool children in Cyprus and identify possible associations.
Design:
Cross-sectional study.
Setting:
Private and public nursery schools.
Subjects:
A representative sample (n=1412) stratified by age, gender, district and area of residence.
Interventions:
Weight (kg) and height (cm) were obtained and BMI (kg/m2) was calculated. Z scores for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height were calculated using the cutoffs from the CDC/WHO 1978 reference. Socio-demographic associations with nutritional status were examined in a logistic regression analysis.
Results:
The prevalence of undernutrition (WHO definition, Z-scores <-2) was low. Specifically the prevalence of underweight was 2.3%, wasting 2.8%, and stunting 1.1%. Undernutrition was associated with a low birth weight (LBW); odds ratio (OR) for underweight 4.1 (95% CI: 1.4, 12.2), P=0.012, stunting 5.2 (95% CI: 1.1, 23.3), P=0.033, and wasting 4.2 (95% CI: 1.3, 14.3), P=0.021.The prevalence of obesity (IOTF definition) was higher than undernutrition, and increased with age: 1.3% in 2 y olds to 10.4% in 6 y olds. Overweight and obesity prevalence were higher in rural (16.1%) than urban children (12.8%; P=0.046). Obesity in preschool children was associated with paternal obesity, OR 3.24 (95% CI: 1.59, 6.61), P=0.001, and maternal obesity 3.91 (95% CI: 1.78, 8.59), P=0.001. A birth weight (BW)
4000 g was associated with obesity compared to a BW between 2501 and 3000 g, OR 7.63 (95% CI: 1.91, 30.52), P=0.004.
Conclusions:
The prevalence of undernutrition among preschool children in Cyprus was low but obesity prevalence was higher. Parental obesity and high BW were significantly associated with obesity while LBW was associated with undernutrition in preschool children.
Keywords:
undernutrition, overweight, obesity, preschool, Cyprus
