Trends of Overweight and Obesity Among Children in Tijuana, Mexico

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to compare the trends of obesity from 2001–02 to 2006–07 in school children of Tijuana, Mexico and to investigate the relationship with the child's gender and type of school attended. Bietapic random sample was selected by cluster of schools and groups. Results of the 1684 children from 6–14 years of age assessed showed an overall prevalence of obesity (> 95^th) of 28%. An overall increase of overweight and obesity of 7-percentage points (p = 0.0003), from 41 to 48%, being higher among boys and younger girls. Prevalence of obesity was higher among boys and children from private schools.

KEYWORDS:

• childhood obesity trends
• abdominal obesity
• extreme obesity
• Mexican children
• Mexico-US border

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to extend special thanks to the Hospital Infantil de las Californias and the Committee of Nutrition of the The Foundation for the Children of the Californias, San Diego and the Instituto de Nutricion de Baja California for their support in making this study possible.