Relationship between age, overweight and obesity in Peruvian schoolchildren

Rojas H.F.Ñ.; Urcos J.F.C.; Marcos P.M.M.; Tiza M.M.C.; Ponce M.L.M.; Pérez L.B.P. · Revista Cubana de Investigaciones Biomedicas (2025)

Resumen

Introduction: The rising trend of obesity and overweight among school-aged children is a concerning phenomenon that requires immediate attention, as it is associated with significant health risks and tends to worsen with age. Objective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between chronological age, overweight, and obesity in schoolchildren aged 7 to 12 years in Lima, Peru. Materials and Methods: A correlational study design was used, with a sample of 256 schoolchildren aged between 7 and 12 years. Height was measured using a SECA 216 stadiometer and weight with an Omron BF511 scale, in order to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI). Results: A relationship was found between age and BMI, with a Spearman’s rho of .373** and a p-value of .000. Among all participants, 39.39% were classified as obese and 21.21% as overweight. Among children with either overweight or obesity, 44.82% of girls were overweight and 55.17% obese, while 25.81% of boys were overweight and 74.19% obese. Conclusions: A positive and significant correlation was observed between age and BMI, indicating that in the population studied, the risk of overweight and obesity progressively increases with age.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal; Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán; Universidad Nacional de Educación Enrique Guzmán y Valle