Comunicaciones Orales

Introduction: Obesity is associated with the risk of developing many diseases, abdominal fat with an increased risk of morbidity, also in childhood. Possible associations of ponderal status and waist circumference/ height ratio (WC/Ht) with dietary and lifestyle patterns were explored in a sample of Italian adolescents. Methods: A representative cluster sample of 369 adolescents attending the second class of secondary school in the Lazio region was studied. Body weight, height and waist circumference were measured. Ponderal status was assessed by the IOTF definitions. WC/Ht cutoff of 0.5 was used. Dietary habits and lifestyle were assessed by the KIDMED test (administered individually) and questionnaires. Results: Lower percentages of overweight/obese (Ow/Ob) subjects were found among adolescents: having breakfast, in females (13.5% vs. 17.9%); eating cereals for breakfast, in total sample (17.7% vs. 23.3%), and among males (22.1% vs. 30.2%); having yogurt/cheese, among females (12.0% vs. 17.9%); doing a sport, in total sample (18.4.% vs. 23.3%) and in males (23.3% vs. 30.2%); being active, in total sample and in females. Higher percentages of Ow/Ob were found among subjects: being on a diet, in total sample (42.0% vs. 23.3%), in females (31.3% vs. 17.9%), in males (76.2% vs. 30.2%); among females with TV in bedroom; watching TV¡Ý2hrs/die (in total and in males). As for WC/Ht, lower rates of subjects with WC/ Ht>0.5 were observed among those doing a sport, in total and in males; being active; among females having breakfast every day. Higher percentages of adolescents with WC/Ht>0.5 were found among those being on a diet in total, in males and in females; watching TV¡Ý2hrs/die, in males. Conclusions: These results support previous findings regarding the associations between overweight/obesity and dietary/lifestyle patterns in adolescents, highlighting factors to reach a healthy lifestyle.