Abstract

DE LA MACORRA, Alicia  and  NINO MARTINEZ, Castulina. Why is Mexico a country of overweight or obese children?. Medisur [online]. 2011, vol.9, n.3, pp. 209-214. ISSN 1727-897X.

Background:According to parameters released by the World Health Organization, children in Mexico show an alarming increase in overweight, obesity and related health problems. Objective: To identify the relationship between fruits, vegetables and water consumption; the amount of physical activity and body mass index. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted with primary school children in six cities in Mexico from 2006 to 2010. Each child’s weight and height were collected and a questionnaire was applied in order to measure the following variables: types of foods they eat and physical activity they perform. Results: There was low correlation between feeding and physical activity. Body mass index was highly dependant on physical activity and feeding style as to the performance of other activities while eating, and less dependant on food quality. Conclusions: A critical summary of findings suggesting ways of establishing good eating habits and physical activities inside and outside school hours as a way to influence the growth of normal body mass index was elaborated.

Keywords : obesity; overweight; child; food habits; exercise; body mass index.