Substantial variation across geographic regions in the obesity prevalence among 6-8 years old Hungarian children (COSI Hungary 2016)

Background

There have been previous representative nutritional status surveys conducted in Hungary, but this is the first one that examines overweight and obesity prevalence according to the level of urbanization and in different geographic regions among 6–8-year-old children. We also assessed whether these variations were different by sex.

Methods

This survey was part of the fourth data collection round of World Health Organization (WHO) Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative which took place during the academic year 2016/2017. The representative sample was determined by two-stage cluster sampling. A total of 5332 children (48.4% boys; age 7.54 ± 0.64 years) were measured from all seven geographic regions including urban (at least 500 inhabitants per square kilometer; n = 1598), semi-urban (100 to 500 inhabitants per square kilometer; n = 1932) and rural (less than 100 inhabitants per square kilometer; n = 1802) areas.

Results

Using the WHO reference, prevalence of overweight and obesity within the whole sample were 14.2, and 12.7%, respectively. According to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) reference, rates were 12.6 and 8.6%. Northern Hungary and Southern Transdanubia were the regions with the highest obesity prevalence of 11.0 and 12.0%, while Central Hungary was the one with the lowest obesity rate (6.1%). The prevalence of overweight and obesity tended to be higher in rural areas (13.0 and 9.8%) than in urban areas (11.9 and 7.0%). Concerning differences in sex, girls had higher obesity risk in rural areas (OR = 2.0) but boys did not. Odds ratios were 2.0–3.4 in different regions for obesity compared to Central Hungary, but only among boys.

Conclusions

Overweight and obesity are emerging problems in Hungary. Remarkable differences were observed in the prevalence of obesity by geographic regions. These variations can only be partly explained by geographic characteristics.

Trial registration

Study protocol was approved by the Scientific and Research Ethics Committee of the Medical Research Council (61158–2/2016/EKU).

[Hungarian Diet and Nutritional Status Survey 2014. I. Nutritional status of the Hungarian adult population]

INTRODUCTION AND AIM

The Hungarian Diet and Nutritional Status Survey examines the obesity prevalence, dietary habits and, since 2014, physical activity in Hungarian adults in every 5 years.

METHOD

The survey provides national data representative by age and gender, based on anthropometric measurements and international standards.

RESULTS

In 2014, nearly two-thirds of adults were overweight or obese. 28.2% of men and 31.5% of women were obese. Prevalence of morbid obesity were 2.6% and 3.3% in men and women, respectively. Abdominal obesity was more prevalent among women than men (55% vs. 38%), and the rate was increasing with age in both genders. In elderly, 55% of men and almost 80% of women were abdominally obese.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity is high in Hungarian adults. In order to tackle obesity, we need to obtain representative and measured data, which form the basis of targeted interventions and the assessment of their impact. Orv. Hetil., 2017, 158(14), 533-540.

[Hungarian diet and nutritional status survey -- the OTAP2009 study. I. Nutritional status of the Hungarian population]

Obesity is a leading public health problem, but representative data on measured prevalence among Hungarian adults has been missing since the late eighties.

AIM AND METHOD

Joining in European Health Interview Survey the aim of the OTAP2009 study was to provide data representative by age and gender on the prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity among Hungarian adults based on their measured anthropometric data.

RESULTS

Participation rate was 35% (n = 1165). Data shows that nearly two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese. 26.2% of men and 30.4% of women are obese. Prevalence of morbid obesity is 3.1% and 2.6% in men and women, respectively. Abdominal obesity is more prevalent among women than men (51.0% vs. 33.2%), and rate is increasing parallel with age in both gender. In elderly, 55% of men and almost 80% of women are abdominally obese.

CONCLUSIONS

Besides interventions of population level for tackling obesity, individual preventive measures are indispensable.

Hungarian Diet and Nutritional Status Survey – The OTAP2009 study. III. Vitamin intake of the Hungarian population

For the healthy status the adequate intake of vitamins is essential. Aim and method: The Hungarian Diet and Nutritional Status Survey – joining to the European Health Interview Survey – studied the dietary habits of the Hungarian population. This work presents the vitamins intake. Results: The intake of all water soluble vitamins, vitamin E and D were significantly higher in men than in women. Favourable phenomena were the increased β-carotene and vitamin C intakes in men and women compared to the earlier data. Intakes of vitamin C, B1-, B2-, B6- and B12, and niacin meet the recommendations. Crucially low intakes of vitamin D and folate were calculated in both genders, particularly in the elders, mainly in case of vitamin D. Imperfect intakes of panthotenic acid and biotin were also observed. Conclusions: For maintaining the adequate vitamin supply and for prevention of vitamin deficiency, diversified nutrition, information of the population on the basic principles of healthy nutrition and availability of healthy food are essential. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 1106–1117.

Physical activity and sedentary behaviors among urban Hungarian school children

A gyermekkori elhízás egyike korunk legjelentősebb népegészségügyi problémáinak. Az inaktív életmód és a csökkenő fizikai aktivitás a legfontosabb kiváltó tényezők közé tartoznak.Célkitűzés:Felmérésünkben Óbudán tanuló általános iskolások tápláltsági állapotát és életmódját vizsgáltuk.Módszer:A dolgozatban 3302 általános iskolás (1648 fiú, 1654 lány; 11,3±2,3 év) adatait elemeztük. Testsúly-, testmagasság- és derékkörfogat-mérések mellett a tanulók kérdőívet töltöttek ki az aktivitási szokásaikról.Eredmények:Az IOTF-kritériumok alapján a résztvevők 14,5%-a túlsúlyos, 4,6%-a elhízott volt. A nem sportolók aránya fiúknál 9 éves kortól (15,3%) folyamatosan nőtt, és 15 éves korra megduplázódott (31,0%). Lányoknál az arány 10 éves kortól (21,0%) emelkedett, és a 15 éves lányoknak már több mint fele (53,8%) nem sportolt. A tanulók hétköznap 2,2±1,9 órát, hétvégén 3,6±2,6 órát töltöttek képernyő előtt. Hétköznap a gyerekek egyharmada (32,2%), hétvégén majdnem kétharmada (61,8%) több mint napi 2 órát töltött képernyő előtt.Következtetések:Mind a nem sportoló, mind a képernyő előtt naponta több mint 2 órát töltő gyermekek aránya magas volt. Tekintettel arra, hogy mind a két kockázati tényező előfordulása az életkor előrehaladtával egyre gyakoribb volt, javasoljuk, hogy a megelőző programok minél korábbi életkorban kezdődjenek meg.