Effects of Nutrition, and Physical Activity Habits and Perceptions on Body Mass Index (BMI) in Children Aged 12–15 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study Comparing Boys and Girls
Vilelmine Carayanni,
Elpis Vlachopapadopoulou,
Dimitra Koutsouki,
Gregory C. Bogdanis,
Theodora Psaltopoulou,
Yannis Manios,
Feneli Karachaliou,
Angelos Hatzakis,
Stefanos Michalacos
Affiliations
Vilelmine Carayanni
Laboratory of Statistical Modelling and Educational Technology in Public and Environmental Health–sepeh.lab, University of West Attica, 196 Alexandras Avenue, 11521 Athens, Greece
Elpis Vlachopapadopoulou
Department of Endocrinology, Children’s Hospital P. & A. Kyriakou, Thivon & Levadeiasstr, Ampelokipoi T.K., 11527 Athens, Greece
Dimitra Koutsouki
School of Physical Education & Sports Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 41, EthnikisAntistaseosstr, Daphne, 17237 Athens, Greece
Gregory C. Bogdanis
School of Physical Education & Sports Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 41, EthnikisAntistaseosstr, Daphne, 17237 Athens, Greece
Theodora Psaltopoulou
Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 MikrasAsias Str., 11527 Goudi, Greece
Yannis Manios
Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, School of Health Science & Education, Harokopio University, 70, El Venizelou Ave Kallithea, 17671 Athens, Greece
Feneli Karachaliou
Department of Endocrinology, Children’s Hospital P. & A. Kyriakou, Thivon & Levadeiasstr, Ampelokipoi T.K., 11527 Athens, Greece
Angelos Hatzakis
Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 MikrasAsias Str., 11527 Goudi, Greece
Stefanos Michalacos
Department of Endocrinology, Children’s Hospital P. & A. Kyriakou, Thivon & Levadeiasstr, Ampelokipoi T.K., 11527 Athens, Greece
Background: The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of socioeconomic status, nutrition and physical activity lifestyle habits and perceptions on Body Mass Index (BMI) in children aged 12–15 years in Greece. Furthermore, to compare the difference between the two sexes. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on a representative secondary school cohort that included 5144 subjects, aged 12 to 15 years. Students and their parents filled in validated questionnaires evaluating socioeconomic status, nutrition and physical activity. International Obesity Task Force cut offs were used to classify the children. Factor analysis of mixed data and partial proportional ordered logistic models were used to analyze ΒMΙ distributions. All analyses were stratified by gender. Results: Boys were 2.9 (95%CI: 2.592–3.328) times more likely to be overweight/obese than girls. Partial proportional ordinal models indicate significant associations between nutritional and physical habits and perceptions variables but also significant gender differences in socio-demographic, nutritional risk factors as well as physical activity habits and perceptions. Conclusions: A clear understanding of the factors that contribute to the sex differences in nutrition and physical activity habits and perceptions may guide intervention efforts.
