Hábitos alimentarios y actividad física en población escolar con normopeso, sobrepeso, obesidad y resistencia a la insulina

Abstract

Childhood obesity represents a risk factor that predisposes to the development of metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, an alteration that increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) at an early age. In Mexico the prevalence of childhood obesity has been reported to be 35.6%. The objective of this study was to determine the eating habits of school-age children with normal weight, overweight and obesity with insulin resistance. The body mass index (BMI) of 1600 children aged 8-10 years living in Jalisco, Mexico was determined. Of the total number of children diagnosed with obesity, 30 presented insulin resistance. Based on this, a random sample of 30 children with normal weight and 30 with overweight was chosen, in addition to the 30 who presented obesity with insulin resistance. A questionnaire on eating habits designed by the National Confederation of Pediatrics of Mexico for children was applied to the 90 participants. The data obtained from the eating habits questionnaire were analyzed using frequencies. A chi square test was applied to associate the frequency of eating habits with BMI and gender. Statistically significant differences were observed in the frequency of some habits according to BMI. A higher proportion of children reported a low consumption (0-2 times per week) of foods considered unhealthy. Gender and nutritional status showed an association with the frequency of eating habits and physical activity.