%0 Journal Article
%T Prevalence of overweight/obesity among portuguese preschoolers
%A Susana Vale
%A Rute Santos
%A Lu¨Ēsa Soares-Miranda
%A Carla R¨ēgo
%J Archives of Exercise in Health and Disease
%D 2011
%I Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL)
%X Objectives: The present study aimed to report the prevalence of being overweight/obese in a sample of Portuguese preschoolers. Methods: A total of 625 children (males: 53.6%) aged 3 to 6 years old were included in the study. The International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut-offs were used to define overweight and obesity. Results: The overall prevalence of being overweight/obese was 33.1%. The prevalence of being overweight/obese was significantly (p<0.05) higher in girls (37.2%) than boys (29.6%). Conclusions: Despite the age of the participants in the study, the levels of overweight and obesity are alarming and call for appropriate interventions.
%K preschool children
%K body mass index
%K gender
%U http://ciafel.fade.up.pt/ojs/index.php/AEHD/article/view/11/2011.38a