Murillo-Llorente María Teresa, Palau-Ferrè Alma María, Legidos-García María Ester, Pérez-Murillo Javier, Tomás-Aguirre Francisco, Lafuente-Sarabia Blanca, Asins-Cubells Adalberto, Martínez-Peris Miriam, Ventura Ignacio, Casaña-Mohedo Jorge, Pérez-Bermejo Marcelino
SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, C/Quevedo no. 2, 46001 Valencia, Spain.
Doctoral School, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain.
Children (Basel). 2025 Jan 9;12(1):76. doi: 10.3390/children12010076.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Childhood obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease that represents one of the main preventable causes of morbidity and mortality. This study analyzes how nutritional beliefs influence eating habits and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Spanish children and adolescents.
A cross-sectional study was conducted in 35 educational centers in 12 Spanish provinces, with a sample of 1131 children and adolescents aged 6 to 14 years. Anthropometric and sociodemographic data were collected, and dietary habits were assessed by means of questionnaires. Statistical analyses were used to identify associations between dietary beliefs and body mass index.
In total, 29.5% of participants were overweight or obese. Two groups of beliefs were identified: healthier beliefs and less healthy beliefs. Children with less healthy dietary beliefs had a significantly higher BMI (22.16 kg/m) compared to those with healthier beliefs (17.2 kg/m). False nutritional beliefs, influenced by advertising and the family environment, contribute to overweight and obesity.
Dietary beliefs play a crucial role in determining eating habits and, therefore, the health of children. Nutrition education and public policies that promote healthy eating habits are essential to prevent childhood obesity. It is important to involve the family, the school, and the media in these efforts.
Despite efforts, many children continue to hold erroneous nutritional beliefs that contribute to the rise in overweight and obesity. This study highlights the importance of addressing dietary beliefs and promoting appropriate nutrition education to prevent childhood obesity. It is recommended to implement educational strategies and public policies that regulate the advertising of unhealthy foods and promote healthy eating habits.
背景/目的：儿童肥胖是一种多因素慢性疾病，是发病率和死亡率的主要可预防原因之一。本研究分析了营养观念如何影响西班牙儿童和青少年的饮食习惯以及超重和肥胖的患病率。
在西班牙12个省份的35个教育中心进行了一项横断面研究，样本为1131名6至14岁的儿童和青少年。收集了人体测量和社会人口统计学数据，并通过问卷调查评估了饮食习惯。采用统计分析来确定饮食观念与体重指数之间的关联。
共有29.5%的参与者超重或肥胖。确定了两组观念：更健康的观念和不太健康的观念。与拥有更健康观念的儿童（体重指数为17.2kg/m²）相比，拥有不太健康饮食观念的儿童体重指数显著更高（22.16kg/m²）。受广告和家庭环境影响的错误营养观念会导致超重和肥胖。
饮食观念在决定饮食习惯以及儿童健康方面起着至关重要的作用。促进健康饮食习惯的营养教育和公共政策对于预防儿童肥胖至关重要。让家庭、学校和媒体参与这些努力很重要。
尽管做出了努力，但许多儿童仍然持有错误的营养观念，这导致了超重和肥胖率的上升。本研究强调了解决饮食观念问题和促进适当营养教育以预防儿童肥胖的重要性。建议实施教育策略和公共政策，规范不健康食品的广告并促进健康饮食习惯。
