Acta Pediatrica Espanola
Volume 67, Issue 3, 2009, Pages 112-116

Obesity in immigrant children is associated with a higher metabolic risk and a poorer response to dietary intervention [Los niños inmigrantes con obesidad presentan un mayor riesgo metabólico y una menor respuesta a una intervention nutricional] (Article)

López D.* , Estévez A.R.
  • a Sección de Endocrinología Infantil, Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital de Txagorritxu, VIC (Álava), Spain, Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital de Txagorritxu, José, Atxotegui, s/n 01009, VIC (Álava), Spain
  • b Sección de Endocrinología Infantil, Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital de Txagorritxu, VIC (Álava), Spain

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a problem of primary importance in our society. Likewise, immigration is an increasing phenomenon in Spain. The objective is to describe the clinical status before, during and after a dietary intervention in a group of obese children in the attempt to determine the importance of the growing number of immigrant children. We study the patients who are referred to our pediatric obesity unit with a body mass index standard deviation score greater than 2. The prevalence of obesity is higher among immigrant children; their obesity is more severe, they fail to continue the periodic follow-up visits more frequently and have poorer results in terms of reducing the body mass index than Spanish children. Moreover, the incidence of metabolic syndrome is higher. Difficulties with language, cultural differences and the lack of perception of obesity as a disease make the group of immigrant children more vulnerable to obesity.

Author Keywords

Dietary intervention Immigration Childhood obesity Metabolic syndrome

Index Keywords

Spain obesity immigrant metabolic syndrome X body mass Article follow up human
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-65249167693&partnerID=40&md5=3916bb44cc9bdc77c54e7f97face740d
ISSN: 00016640
Cited by: 1
Original Language: Spanish