Trends in the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents in the Sverdlovsk region

Background. Prevalence of excess body weight and obesity among children and adolescents has been gradually and significantly increasing over the last decades. The obesity detection rate is markedly affected by both low awareness of primary care physicians and the attitude of parents who pay no attention to the child’s excess weight for a long time considering it the manifestation of excellent health and normal development.

Objective. The study aimed at comparative evaluation of the prevalence of obesity among children in the Sverdlovsk region.

Methods. A comparative analysis of the prevalence of obesity was carried out, based on official statistical information and results of prophylactic medical examinations over the 2005–2019 period. The gender- and age-related particulars of pathologic obesity among children have been analyzed across the following age groups: 0–4, 5–9, 10–14 and 15–17 years.

Results. Based on the incidence of office visits, a two-fold increase of morbid obesity was found in children 0–14 years of age (from 8.3‰ in 2005 to 16.3‰ in 2019 ), and a three-fold increase in adolescents 15–17 years of age (from 11.8‰ to 35.5‰, respectively; р < 0.001). The obesity rate registered during prophylactic medical examinations is two-fold higher than that during the office visits. Over 50% of obesity cases fall on the 10–14 age group, whereas the maximum rates of increase were found in children 5–9 years of age. In the age group of 15–17 years obesity is registered more often in boys than in girls.

Conclusion. Significant differences in obesity prevalence rates, according to the office visits and prophylactic medical examinations’ data, attest to delayed diagnosis of excess body weight and insufficient effectiveness of pediatricians dealing with obese children at the stage of pediatric primary care. Cons idering the age-related particulars of obesity prevalence, health professionals working in educational institutions should play a leading role in the diagnosis of excess body weight and provision the follow-up care for children who are at risk for obesity.

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