Quito Municipal Schools—Cohort Study: Self-Perception of Body Image and Factors Related with It

Self-perception of body image is one factor to be considered when planning and performing preventive initiatives and interventions in childhood and adolescence. The aim of this study was to analyse self-perception of body image in relation to body-mass index, physical inactivity, not eating breakfast, dieting, smoking and alcohol consumption or toxic habits. Materials and Methods: using data from the “Quito municipal schools” cohort study 6964 students aged from 9 to 17 years were described using a multivariate log linear model of the multidimensional table generated by the variables. A logistic regression model was then fitted to assess associations via OR. Results: 8.2% perceived themselves as overweight. Of those subjects overweight according to their BMI, 21.8% perceived themselves as such, while among those not overweight according to BMI, 96.8% considered themselves as slim or of normal weight. Among students who were dieting, 15.1% perceived themselves as overweight. Among those pupils who perceived themselves has having excess weight, the most common reasons for dieting were: lose weight (56.8%), be healthier (22.6%), and maintain current weight (8.4%). Self-perception of excess weight interacts with excess weight (ORadjusted 8.42;CI95% 6.92-10.25), no breakfast (ORadjusted 2.83;CI95% 2.13-3.77), diet (ORadjusted 2.38;CI95% 1.95-2.89), and with all the variables except toxic habits (ORadjusted 1.01;CI95% 0.78 a 1.29). Conclusion: Interventions to prevent obesity in childhood and adolescence ought to take account of specific determinants within the personal, behavioural and socio-environmental factors, such as the promotion of a positive body image.

Critical analysis of the definition of severe dengue, based on the Ecuador outbreak in 2012

Of the 238 cases reported to the Ecuador Health Authorities in 2012 as severe dengue, only 53.3% met diagnostic criteria. The definition of severe dengue should be based on more precise criteria. Information about compliance with criteria should be fed back to local levels.

“Quito municipal schools” cohort study: Baseline results

The lack of population-level data on growth and development of children and adolescents in Ecuador, and the existence of previous data suggesting an alarming increase in the numbers of children presenting overweight or obesity justifies the present cohort study which includes all pupils of municipal schools of Quito aged 9 to 17 years. Follow-up will continue for a minimum of 7 years. This will allow determining the evolution of prevalence of these phenomena and their trends as well as other indices, both physiological and family-related customs, in order to plan appropriate preventive interventions. The present cross-sectional study includes 21 municipal schools, grouped into four health zones, each of which depends on a health centre, also municipal, and which are responsible for the health of pupils in these schools. Of the 6964 pupils studied, 18.7% suffer overweight and 7.9% obesity: 19.3% and 9.7% respectively in boys, compared to 18.2% and 5.4% in girls. The study also assesses family characteristics, degree of sedentarism and nutritional habits: 62.3% declared living in a nuclear family, and 60.5% declared their families to be in the “adolescent” life-cycle stage;91.9% of pupils were sedentary while 5.4% (CI95% 4.87 - 5.94) reported not eating breakfast every day.