Dietary Beliefs and Their Association with Overweight and Obesity in the Spanish Child Population
María Teresa Murillo-Llorente,
Alma María Palau-Ferrè,
María Ester Legidos-García,
Javier Pérez-Murillo,
Francisco Tomás-Aguirre,
Blanca Lafuente-Sarabia,
Adalberto Asins-Cubells,
Miriam Martínez-Peris,
Ignacio Ventura,
Jorge Casaña-Mohedo,
Marcelino Pérez-Bermejo
Affiliations
María Teresa Murillo-Llorente
SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, C/Quevedo no. 2, 46001 Valencia, Spain
Alma María Palau-Ferrè
SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, C/Quevedo no. 2, 46001 Valencia, Spain
María Ester Legidos-García
SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, C/Quevedo no. 2, 46001 Valencia, Spain
Javier Pérez-Murillo
SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, C/Quevedo no. 2, 46001 Valencia, Spain
Francisco Tomás-Aguirre
SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, C/Quevedo no. 2, 46001 Valencia, Spain
Blanca Lafuente-Sarabia
SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, C/Quevedo no. 2, 46001 Valencia, Spain
Adalberto Asins-Cubells
Centro de Salud de L’Eliana, Departamento Arnau de Vilanova-Lliria, 46183 Valencia, Spain
Miriam Martínez-Peris
SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, C/Quevedo no. 2, 46001 Valencia, Spain
Ignacio Ventura
Molecular and Mitochondrial Medicine Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
Jorge Casaña-Mohedo
SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, C/Quevedo no. 2, 46001 Valencia, Spain
Marcelino Pérez-Bermejo
SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, C/Quevedo no. 2, 46001 Valencia, Spain
Background/Objectives: Childhood obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease that represents one of the main preventable causes of morbidity and mortality. This study analyzes how nutritional beliefs influence eating habits and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Spanish children and adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 35 educational centers in 12 Spanish provinces, with a sample of 1131 children and adolescents aged 6 to 14 years. Anthropometric and sociodemographic data were collected, and dietary habits were assessed by means of questionnaires. Statistical analyses were used to identify associations between dietary beliefs and body mass index. Results: In total, 29.5% of participants were overweight or obese. Two groups of beliefs were identified: healthier beliefs and less healthy beliefs. Children with less healthy dietary beliefs had a significantly higher BMI (22.16 kg/m2) compared to those with healthier beliefs (17.2 kg/m2). False nutritional beliefs, influenced by advertising and the family environment, contribute to overweight and obesity. Discussion: Dietary beliefs play a crucial role in determining eating habits and, therefore, the health of children. Nutrition education and public policies that promote healthy eating habits are essential to prevent childhood obesity. It is important to involve the family, the school, and the media in these efforts. Conclusions: Despite efforts, many children continue to hold erroneous nutritional beliefs that contribute to the rise in overweight and obesity. This study highlights the importance of addressing dietary beliefs and promoting appropriate nutrition education to prevent childhood obesity. It is recommended to implement educational strategies and public policies that regulate the advertising of unhealthy foods and promote healthy eating habits.
