EVALUATION OF DIETARY REGIMEN AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON IRON AND LIPID STATUS IN OVERWEIGHT AND OBESE CHILDREN 6 months prospective study

Abstract

O ver the past 30 years, childhood overweight/obesity, often beginning in infancy and toddlerhood, has reached epidemic proportions, particularly among minority and/or low-income populations in high-income countries. Rates of pediatric obesity (BMI ≥ 95th percentile) have almost tripled over the past 25 years, with current estimates showing a prevalence rate of 16% for girls and 18% for boys. The prevalence of adolescent and childhood overweight and obesity in children living in Egypt, Brazil and Mexico has reached levels comparable to those seen in industrialized nations. Obesity is associated with alterations in iron metabolism leading to iron deficiency which is probably the most prevalent single common micronutrient deficiency in the world today. Aim of the study was: 1) To assess iron status among overweight/ obese primary school children. With age ranging from 6 years till preadolescence or age 12 years with Tanner score ≤ 2. 2) To assess the effect of 6 months dieting program on iron status improvement in overweight/obese children. 3) To study the psychological basis of obesity in children as well as associated co-morbidities. 4) To assess the prevalence of obesity among primary school students. The study was conducted on 2 groups: Group 1 1025 were recruited from 2 urban primary schools with moderate-high social standards among children with age between 6 to 12 years. Weight, height were measured and body mass index was calculated. All measures were plotted on the percentiles for age. The percentage of obese and overweight children was calculated. Group 2 includes 150 children, 100 obese children and 50 normal weight children with age ranging between 6 and 12 years.