@article{3015493,
    title = "Tracking of overweight and obesity in Greek youth",
    author = "Veltsista, A. and Kanaka, C. and Gika, A. and Lekea, V. and Roma, E. and Bakoula, C.",
    journal = "Obesity Facts",
    year = "2010",
    volume = "3",
    number = "3",
    pages = "166-172",
    issn = "1662-4025, 1662-4033",
    doi = "10.1159/000314620",
    keywords = "academic achievement;  adult;  article;  child;  female;  gender;  Greece;  human;  major clinical study;  male;  obesity;  prevalence;  priority journal;  risk factor;  school child;  sex difference;  urban population, Adolescent;  Age Distribution;  Body Weight;  Child;  Educational Status;  Female;  Follow-Up Studies;  Greece;  Humans;  Male;  Motor Activity;  Obesity;  Overweight;  Parents;  Prevalence;  Questionnaires;  Risk Factors;  Sex Distribution;  Television",
    abstract = "Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and tracking of overweight and obesity in a representative sample of Greek youth and the relation with child and parental factors. Methods: Data were derived from 2 follow-ups of the Greek 1983 National Perinatal Survey by means of a questionnaire completed by parents in 1990 and parents/adolescents in 2001. Parent- and self-reported height and weight measurements were available for 7,219 participants aged 7, and 2,842 participants aged 18. Results: The overall overweight/obesity prevalence was 24.3% at age 7, and 15.1% at age 18. The overweight prevalence increased from childhood to adolescence in boys (16.1 to 19.1%) and decreased in girls (19.2 to 8.0%), while the obesity prevalence showed a decrease in both boys (6.2 to 3.6%) and girls (5.8 to 1.0%). Overall, tracking of weight status was 73.7%. More boys (49.2%) remained overweight/obese than girls (24.7%). At age 7, overweight/ obesity was positively associated with male gender, paternal education, and urban residence. Overweight/obesity also correlated with male gender at age 18, and with parental weight status. Conclusions: The prevalence of overweight among Greek youth is high and showed an increase from childhood to adolescence in boys, and a decrease in girls. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG."
}