Pediatric Obesity in Spain: From 2000 to 2019 – Comparison of Two Nationwide Representative Studies
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: Monitoring childhood obesity at a national scale is essential for planning health policies. This study analyzes the 2 decades secular trends of pediatric weight status in Spain. METHODS: Comparison of two nationwide representative cross-sectional studies: EnKid, conducted from 1998 to 2000, and PASOS from 2019 to 2020. Healthy weight, overweight, obesity, excess weight, severe obesity, and abdominal obesity were estimated. Analyses were stratified by developmental stage, gender, and mother educational level. RESULTS: From 2000 to 2019, the prevalence of abdominal obesity significantly increased from 16.0% to 22.6% (p < 0.05). Girls experienced a significant rise in the prevalence of obesity: from 3.16% to 7.20% (p < 0.05). The logistic regression analysis revealed a significantly higher odd ratio of excess weight (1.17, 95% CI: 1.01-1.36; p = 0.043), obesity (1.43, 95% CI: 1.08-1.90; p < 0.001), and abdominal obesity (1.57, 95% CI: 1.31-1.88; p < 0.05) in 2019 than in 2000. Moreover, we found a strong significant increase in the likelihood of obesity (2.40; 95% CI: 1.44-3.97; p < 0.01), severe obesity (4.56; 95% CI: 1.07-19.4; p = 0.04), and abdominal obesity (2.48; 95% CI: 1.82-3.37; p < 0.001) among girls. Finally, in 2019, lower socioeconomic status participants were also more likely to present excess weight (1.25; 95% CI: 1.05-1.48; p < 0.05), obesity (1.45; 95% CI: 1.07-1.97; p < 0.05), and abdominal obesity (1.65; 95% CI: 1.35-2.02; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Pediatric obesity has increased in Spain over 2 decades. Effective health policies are urgent. .
Source: Obesity Facts
DOI: 10.1159/000549431
Authors: Santiago Felipe Gómez, Paula Berruezo, Silvia Torres, Julia Wärnberg, Maddi Osés, Marcela Gonzalez-Gross, Narcis Gusi, Susana Aznar, Elena Marín-Cascales, Miguel González-Valeiro, Inmaculada Bautista-Castaño, Luis Peña-Quintana, Nicolás Terrados, Josep A. Tur, Marta Segú, Montse Fitó, Lourdes Ribas-Barba, Genís Según, Juan Carlos Benavente-Marín, Idoia Labayen, Augusto G. Zapico, Jesús Sánchez-Gómez, Fabio Jiménez-Zazo, Pedro Emilio Alcaraz, Marta Sevilla-Sanchez, Estefanía Herrera-Ramos, Susana Pulgar, Cristina Bouzas, Lluis Serra-Majem, Helmut Schröder
Institutions: Universitat de Lleida, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Gasol Foundation, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Universidad de Alcalá, Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya, Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Universidad de Málaga, Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Universidad de Navarra, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Universidad de Extremadura, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Universidad Católica de Murcia, Universidade da Coruña, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands, Research Institute of Health Sciences, Universitat de les Illes Balears, FC Barcelona, Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,590
Funder: Banco Santander
OpenAlex ID: W4416224897
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