Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT414

Background: Childhood obesity and overweight have become pressing global health concerns, with an ever-growing number of children affected. These conditions carry profound consequences for both physical and mental health, making them a critical issue for society. The underlying causes of this epidemic are multifaceted. This study seeks to explore and uncover the primary drivers of childhood obesity and overweight.

Methods: This cross-sectional case-control study, conducted in 2022, involved children from school health clinics in Tunis, Tunisia. Participants aged 5 to 15 years were included, with exclusions for conditions causing secondary obesity. Overweight was classified as an age-specific BMI > 1 standard deviation (SD) above the WHO growth standards median, while obesity was defined as a BMI > 2 SDs above the median. According to the WHO, early diversification of diet is defined as starting before the age of 6 months. The children were divided into two groups: G1 (overweight or obese) and G2 (normal weight). A 41-item questionnaire was distributed to both children and their parents to assess obesity risk factors.

Results: The study included 216 participants, with 54 classified as overweight or obese (G1) and 162 as having a normal weight (G2). While no significant relationship was found between the occurrence of overweight or obesity and age (P = 0.07), it was significantly higher in male children (P = 0.038). The presence of allergies in G1 was not significant (P = 0.200). The average birth weight was higher in G1 (3400g) compared to G2 (3000g) (P = 0.01). The average duration of breastfeeding was longer in G1 although the difference was not significant (P = 0.800). The duration of artificial feeding was not associated with childhood obesity (P = 0.08). The practice of having meals at the table was similarly observed in both groups (P = 0.91). Obesity was less frequently observed in children who had their meals in a daycare setting (P = 0.47). No significant association was found between watching TV during meals and the presence of obesity or overweight in children (P = 0.92). G1 consumed more fast food (P = 0.539) and G2 engaged in more physical activity outside of school (P = 0.894). Additionally, no significant correlation was found between TV time and the presence of obesity or overweight in children (P = 0.9).

Conclusion: Tackling the underlying causes of childhood obesity and overweight, with a focus on understanding and addressing key contributing factors, is essential to reversing this escalating epidemic.