Overweight and obesity prevalence and trends in children and adolescents in Cyprus 2000–2010

SummaryObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 2010 and examine prevalence trends between 2000 and 2010 among school-aged children and adolescents in Cyprus.MethodsA representative cross-sectional study was undertaken in 2010. Anthropometric data were taken using standard methods from 3090 children. The IOTF cut-offs were used to define overweight and obese participants, and prevalence was compared with a previous representative study performed in 2000. Prevalences with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated and logistic regression models were used to estimate 10-year trends.ResultsThe overall prevalence of obesity was higher in 2010 (8.1% [95%CI: 7.1, 9.1]) compared to 2000 (5.9% [95%CI: 5.0, 6.8]), p = 0.002. The overall prevalence of overweight was also higher in 2010 (20.1% [95%CI: 18.7, 21.5]) compared to 2000 (16.5% [95%CI: 15.0, 18.0]), p < 0.001. The prevalence of obesity increased at a greater rate in school-aged boys (p = 0.017), and in rural areas (p = 0.001). In rural areas, high maternal education background is associated with a decreased odds for obesity; odds ratio 0.35 (95% CI: 0.17, 0.69), p = 0.003.ConclusionsThe prevalence of obesity and overweight in children and adolescents in Cyprus has increased substantially over a decade, mainly in rural areas and in school-aged boys.