Surveillance of childhood overweight: comparison of “OKkio alla SALUTE” survey and general paediatrics data in the Province of Trento

Abstract

The estimates of childhood overweight and obesity for Trentino provided by the 2014 “OKkio alla Salute” survey (national surveillance programme for weight and nutrition in children) were compared with estimates provided by paediatric health forms completed at the age of six. The Province of Trento is the only region that makes use of the information gathered through these forms, which are completed by primary care paediatricians as part of the 6-year health evaluation. Okkio alla Salute data for children in Trentino, obtained from students enrolled in the third year of primary school in 2014 (845 subjects), was compared with data collected at the age of 6 for cohorts born in 2006, evaluated in 2012-2013 (3,101 subjects). The following prevalence figures were revealed: overweight: 17.4% Okkio alla Salute and 11.7% 6-year evaluation; obese: 4.1% OKkio alla Salute and 3.5% 6-year evaluation; severely obese: 1.4% Okkio alla Salute and 1.0% 6-year evaluation. The two information sources provide similar estimates, suggesting the potential for their integrated use.