ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS, FOOD-INTAKE AN D PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY IN PREPUBERTAL CHILDREN OF ROVERETO (TN)

Physical characteristics of males and females are comparable, although females have a higher skinfold thickness than males. Prevalence of ob esity is high in prepubertal children (14%). Overweight increases with age and is more frequent in males. Energy intake is comparable in obe se and non obese children. Fat, simple carbohydrate and protein intake is similar in obese and control children, independently by excess wei ght. Generally, children are not very active. During the day, obese ch ildren spend significantly (P <0.001) more time than controls in resti ng condition. In conclusion, nutritional and physical activity habits of prepubertal children living in the Rovereto area are different from recommended and may play a role in the determinism of body weight gai n and in the onset of the complications of obesity.