Journal of Obesity & Weight Loss Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Statement of the Problem: Increasing prevalence of childhood obesity has been associated in part to diet quality. This study examined the relationship between body composition and nutritional quality of the meals, in primary school children in Shiraz (Iran). Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: This cross-sectional study was done on 431 primary school student (219 boys and 212 girls) aged between 6 and 10 years. Using standard methods anthropometric indices including weight, height, body fat and waist circumference (WC) were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Also, three 24-h dietary records (two weekdays and one weekend) were taken. The linear regression test was used to determine relationship between percent of energy intake of macronutrients in each meal with body composition. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 19. Findings: The mean age of participants was 7.8±1.03 years and the mean BMI was 16.03±2.71 kg/m2. Results showed that WC was inversely associated with the percentage of energy intake from breakfast (β=-2.04; CI: -4, 0.002) but it was not significant anymore after adjustment for total energy intake. Also, the percentage of energy intake from fat content of snacks were significantly associated with BMI (β=1.47; CI: 0.36, 2.59), and WC (β= 0.43; CI: 0.02, 0.85) even after adjusting for total energy intake. There were no associations between other meals quality and body composition indices. Conclusion & Significance: Our study showed that snacks quality but no other meals were associated with WC and BMI, and having fatty snacks was related to central and abdominal obesity among children.

Biography

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