Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: To study feeding habits in children of different ages with alimentary obesity compared with normative values.

Methods: We compared 3 days food diaries of 98 children with alimentary obesity observed in the Endocrinology Department of University Hospital (Minsk) with nutritional standards of healthy children recommended by Belarusian National Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health – control (K). Patients were divided into three age groups: 1st 5–6 years (6.1±0 years; BMI 25±4.2 kg/m²) – ten peoples (10.2%); 2nd 7–12 years (9.7±1.1 years; BMI 27±4.4 kg/m²) – 42 peoples (42.8%); 3rd 13–17 years (14.7±1.9 years; BMI 32.3±5.2 kg/m²) – 46 peoples (47%). The frequency of different food groups, main meals, snacks consumption were studied with the assessment in points (p) 0p – a child didn’t eat products of this group, 1p eat every day, 2p eat one to two times a day, 3p eat three or more times a day. Results were processed using SPSS 18.0.

Results: Obese children showed a significant decrease in consumption of porridges and pasta (P (three groups)=0.0001), starchy vegetables (p2-K=0.046), and (p3-K=0.014); fruits (p2-K=0.046), dairy products (p1-K=0.046), (p2-K=0.006), (p3-K=0.005); with increasing - sweet beverages and juices (p1-K=0.037) and (p2-K=0.007), oils and fats (p1-K=0.01), (p2-K=0.004). The frequency of snack consumption were less in children with obesity vs the standard ratios (group 1, 2.10±0.57, group 2, 1.57±0.1p; and group 3, 1.26±0.80p, norm 3) (p1-K=0.022, p2-K=0.001, and p3-K=0.0001).

Conclusions: The reduced consumption of cereals, pasta, starchy vegetables, fruits, dairy products, oils, reducing the frequency of snacking; increased - sugary drinks and juices, oils, and fat contributes to the development of obesity in children.