Changes in general and abdominal obesity in children at 4, 6 and 9 years of age and their association with other cardiometabolic risk factors.

Temporary changes in childhood obesity and their association with cardiometabolic risk factors have been receiving increased attention. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in general (GO) and abdominal (AO) obesity in children from 4 to 9 years of age and their associations with cardiometabolic risk factors at 9 years of age. This study includes 1344 children from the Longitudinal Childhood Obesity Study (ELOIN). Physical examinations performed at 4, 6 and 9 years of age and a blood sample was only taken at 9 years of age. Changes in obesity from 4 to 9 years of age were estimated using Body Mass Index and waist circumference. Participants were classified into four groups according to GO and AO: (1) stable without obesity (no obesity at all three measurements); (2) remitting obesity at 9 years (obesity at 4 and/or 6 years but not at 9 years); (3) incident or recurrent obesity at 9 years (obesity only at 9 years, at 4 and 9 years or at 6 and 9 years); and (4) stable or persistent with obesity (obesity at 4, 6 and 9 years). Dyslipidemia and dysglycemia were defined by the presence of at least one altered parameter of the lipid or glycemic profile. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using logistic regression. Compared with children without GO at all ages, those with persistent GO had an OR of 3.66 (95% CI: 2.06-6.51) for dyslipidemia, 10.61 (95% CI: 5.69-19.79) for dysglycemia and 8.35 (95% CI: 4.55-15.30) for high blood pressure. The associations were fairly similar in the case of AO, with ORs of 3.52 (95% CI: 1.96-6.34), 17.15 (95% CI: 9.09-32.34) and 8.22 (95% CI: 4.46-15.15), respectively, when comparing persistent versus stable without AO. Children with incident obesity at 9 years presented a moderate cardiometabolic risk that was nevertheless higher compared to those stable without obesity, whereas those with remitting obesity did not show any significant associations. CONCLUSION: Incident, and especially, persistent obesity, is associated with an increased cardiometabolic risk. The very early prevention of obesity, with a focus on nutrition, physical activity and sedentary behaviour, as well as tracking growth from birth to age 5, should be a priority to prevent the burden of cardiometabolic disease with consequences for adulthood. WHAT IS KNOWN: • General and abdominal obesity has been shown to be associated with other cardiometabolic risk factors such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and hypertension. • Temporary changes in obesity and their associations with cardiometabolic risk factors have not been sufficiently explored in childhood. WHAT IS NEW: • Children with incident, and especially persistent, general and/or abdominal obesity, had an increased risk of dyslipidemia, dysglycemia and high blood pressure. •Remitting obesity was not associated with an increased cardiometabolic risk.

Association between biomarkers of iron status and cardiometabolic risk in Spanish children aged 9-10 years. The ELOIN study.

The relationship between iron metabolism and cardiometabolic risk factors has been scarcely studied in children, and the results are controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between iron parameters and lipid, glycemic and blood pressure alterations in the pediatric population. This was a cross-sectional study of 1954 children between 9 and 10 years of age in Madrid (Spain), participants in a longitudinal study of childhood obesity. Iron metabolism parameters, i.e., serum iron (Is), ferritin (Fs), transferrin (Tf) and transferrin saturation (STf) and lipid, glycemic and blood pressure profiles were evaluated. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, diet, physical activity, C-reactive protein and body mass index. Compared with the participants in the low Is and STf tertiles, those in the upper tertiles had a lower risk of low HDL-Chol (OR: 0.34; 95%CI: 0.17; 0.67) and OR: 0.44 (95%CI: 0.23; 0.84), respectively, and children in the upper Fs tertile had an OR of 2.07 (95%CI: 1.16; 3.68) for low HDL-Chol. Children in the highest Is and STf tertiles had a lower risk of prediabetes [OR: 0.63 (95%CI: 0.41; 0.97) and OR: 0.53 (95%CI: 0.34; 0.82)] and insulin resistance (IR) (OR: 0.37; 95%CI: 0.22; 0.64), and those in the upper Tf tertile had a higher risk of IR (OR: 1.90; 95%CI: 1.16; 3.12). An increased risk of hypertension was found only in children in the upper Fs tertile (OR: 1.46; 95%CI: 1.01; 2.13). CONCLUSIONS: Biomarkers of iron metabolism are associated with cardiometabolic alterations in the pediatric population, with a variable direction and magnitude depending on the indicators used. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Iron metabolism is related to important cardiometabolic alterations such as metabolic syndrome and its components. • Association between biomarkers of iron status and cardiometabolic risk have been less explored in children. WHAT IS NEW: • Biomarkers of iron metabolism are associated with cardiometabolic alterations in the pediatric population. • Iron parameters in the pediatric population could be of great help to detect and prevent cardiometabolic abnormalities early.

Childhood obesity and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association between childhood obesity and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cohort followed from 4 to 12 years of age. METHODS: The data were obtained from two independent sources: the Longitudinal Childhood Obesity Study (ELOIN) and the epidemiological surveillance system data from the Community of Madrid (Spain), which served to identify the population within the cohort with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. The SARS-CoV-2 registry was cross-checked with the cohort population at 11-12 years of age. A total of 2018 eligible participants were identified in the cohort, who underwent physical examinations at 4, 6, and 9 years of age during which weight, height, and waist circumference were recorded. General obesity (GO) was determined according to the WHO-2007 criteria whereas abdominal obesity (AO) was defined based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. The relative risks (RRs) of infection were estimated using a Poisson regression model and adjusted by sociodemographic variables, physical activity, and perceived health reported by the parents. RESULTS: The accumulated incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 8.6% (95% CI: 7.3-9.8). The estimated RR of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 2.53 (95% CI: 1.56-4.10) and 2.56 (95% CI: 1.55-4.21) for children 4-9 years old with stable GO and AO, respectively, compared with those who did not present GO. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood obesity is an independent risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study provides new evidence that indicates that obesity increases the vulnerability of the paediatric population to infectious diseases.

Changes in obesity and iron deficiency between 4 and 9 years of age. Longitudinal study of childhood obesity (ELOIN).

BACKGROUND: Recent studies revealed that children who are overweight have a higher risk of iron deficiency, although the etiology of this relationship remains unclear. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between changes in obesity status between 4 and 9 years of age and iron deficiency. SUBJECTS: This population-based cohort study included 1347 children from the ELOIN study, conducted in Madrid, Spain. Follow-up with physical examinations and a computer-assisted telephone interview were carried out at 4, 6 and 9 years of age, and a blood test was performed at 9 years. METHODS: Changes in obesity were estimated based on body mass index and waist circumference, according to the persistence or variation in obesity rates at 4, 6 and 9 years and were classified as follows: (1) Stable without obesity; (2) Remitting obesity at 9 years; (3) Incident obesity or relapse at 9 years; and (4) Stable with obesity. Iron deficiency was defined as transferrin saturation value below 16%. Odds ratios (ORs) for iron deficiency were estimated according to obesity status using logistic regression and adjusted for confounding variables, including C-reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS: The prevalence of iron deficiency in the stable general obesity (GO) and abdominal obesity (AO) groups was 38.2% and 41.2%, versus 23.6% and 23.4% in the stable without obesity groups, respectively. The ORs for iron deficiency were 1.85 (95% CI: 1.03-3.32) in the stable GO group and 2.34 (95% CI: 1.29-4.24) in the stable AO group. This association disappeared when CRP was included in the analysis. CONCLUSIONS: An extended state of obesity during the first stages of life is associated with iron deficiency, and this association may be mediated by CRP. Prevention and early detection of obesity in children should be a priority to avoid a double burden of malnutrition.

Household food insecurity and its association with overweight and obesity in children aged 2 to 14 years.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to estimate the prevalence of household food insecurity (HFI) depending on sociodemographic factors and its association with lifestyle habits and childhood overweight and obesity. METHODS: Data was collected from 1,938 children aged 2 to 14 years who participated in the "Study about Malnutrition" of the Community of Madrid. Weight and height were obtained through physical examination. Body mass index was calculated as weight/height2 (kg/m2) and the criteria of the WHO were used for determining conditions of overweight and obesity. The participants' parents answered a structured questionnaire about their diet, lifestyle (physical activity and screen time), and food insecurity. The diet quality was assessed with the Healthy Eating Index in Spain and food insecurity, defined as the lack of consistent access to sufficient food for a healthy life, was measured via three screening questions and the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Odds Ratios (ORs) and Relative Risk Ratios (RRRs) were estimated using logistic regression models and adjusted for confounding variables. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of HFI was 7.7% (95% CI: 6.6‒9.0), with lower values in children 2 to 4 years old (5.7%, 95% CI: 4.0‒8.1) and significantly higher values in households with low family purchasing power [37.3%; OR: 8.99 (95% CI: 5.5‒14.6)]. A higher prevalence of overweight (33.1%) and obesity (28.4%) was observed in children from families with HFI, who presented a lower quality diet and longer screen time compared to those from food-secure households (21.0% and 11.5%, respectively). The RRR of children in families with HFI relative to those from food-secure households was 2.41 (95% CI: 1.5‒4.0) for overweight and 1.99 (95% CI: 1.2‒3.4) for obesity. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HFI was high in the paediatric population, especially in households with low family purchasing power. HFI was associated with lower diet quality and higher prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity. Our results suggest the need for paediatric services to detect at-risk households at an early stage to avoid this dual burden of child malnutrition.

Tracking and risk of abdominal and general obesity in children between 4 and 9 years of age. The Longitudinal Childhood Obesity Study (ELOIN).

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that overweight and obesity conditions tend to be stable from childhood and adolescence to adulthood. Unfortunately, little is known about the evolution of abdominal obesity during childhood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the temporal variations and risk of general and abdominal obesity between 4, 6, and 9 years of age. METHODS: Measurements of children in the ELOIN study taken at the three follow-ups of 4, 6, and 9 years of age were included (N = 1,902). Body mass index and waist circumference were recorded via physical examination. General obesity was determined according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO) and abdominal obesity according to the cut-off points proposed by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Prevalence ratios (PRs) were estimated by sex and family affluence using generalized estimating equation models and relative risks (RRs) of obesity were obtained via Poisson regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of general obesity was 5.1%, 9.1%, and 15.6% at 4, 6, and 9 years, respectively, yielding a PR of 3.05 (95%CI: 2.55-3.60) (9 years old relative to 4 years). The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 6.8%, 8.4%, 14.5% at 4, 6, and 9 years, respectively, and the PR was 2.14 (95%CI: 1.82-2.51) (9 years old relative to 4 years). An inverse correlation was observed between both general and abdominal obesity and socioeconomic status. Among participants with general or abdominal obesity at 4 years of age, 77.3% and 63.6% remained in their obesity classification at 9 years, respectively, and 3.4% and 3.5% presented general or abdominal obesity also at 6 and 9 years of age, respectively. The RRs of general and abdominal obesity at 9 years were 4.61 (95%CI: 2.76-7.72) and 4.14 (95%CI: 2.65-6.48) for children classified with obesity at 4 years of age, increased to 9.36 (95%CI: 7.72-11.35) and 9.56 (95%CI: 7.79-11.74) for children who had obesity at 6 years, and up to 10.27 (95%CI: 8.52-12.37) and 9.88 (95%CI: 8.07-12.11) for children with obesity at both 4 and 6 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: General and abdominal obesity begin at an early age and increase over time, showing an inverse correlation with socioeconomic status. In addition, general and abdominal obesity at 9 years are strongly associated with being classified with obesity at 4 and 6 years, so preventive interventions should be established at very early ages.

Parental perception of child health status and quality of life associated with overweight and obesity in early childhood.

PURPOSE: The aim was to assess perceived health status and health-related quality of life (HRQL) according to persistence of and variation in weight status among children from the age of 4 to 6 years. METHODS: Longitudinal study of 1883 participants in the ELOIN cohort (Madrid Region, Spain), with physical examination at ages 4 and 6 years. Perceived health status and HRQL were assessed using parent-reported Kidscreen-10 scores, with excess weight being defined on the basis of body mass index (BMI) using the WHO reference tables (z-BMI > 1 standard deviation), and abdominal obesity being defined on the basis of waist circumference (percentile ≥ 90) using the tables proposed by Fernández et al. Variation in these two parameters at age 6 years was associated with incident cases of suboptimal health by logistic regression, and with HRQL by linear regression. RESULTS: Compared to children without excess weight or abdominal obesity in both periods, incident cases of excess weight or abdominal obesity had odds ratios (ORs) of suboptimal health of 2.41 (95% CI 1.21 to 4.80) and 2.99 (95% CI 1.31 to 6.84) respectively. In terms of HRQL, children with remission of excess weight had a higher Kidscreen-10 score: ß coefficient = 2.02 (95% CI 0.36 to 3.68), whereas new cases of abdominal obesity had a lower Kidscreen-10 score: ß = - 2.22 (95% CI - 4.40 to - 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Incident cases of excess weight and abdominal obesity had a higher risk of suboptimal health. Incident cases of abdominal obesity were also associated with worse HRQL.

Accuracy of anthropometric measurements and weight status perceptions reported by parents of 4-year-old children.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity of self-reported height and weight by parents of 4-year-old children and subjective weight perception. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study. SETTING: Paediatric population living in the Autonomous Community of Madrid. PARTICIPANTS: Children born in 2008-2009 examined at 47-59 months of age. Data were collected by paediatricians of the Madrid Primary Care Physicians Sentinel Network. Parents reported weight and height data. Prevalence of weight status categories was calculated using WHO and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) reference criteria. Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) were estimated. The appraisal of their child's weight perception and parental misperception were assessed. RESULTS: For 2914 children, reported height was underestimated by -1·38 cm, weight by -0·25 kg and BMI was overestimated by +0·41 kg/m2 on average. The prevalence of obesity estimated with reported data was 2·7 times higher than that calculated with measured data (16·2 v. 6·0 %) according to WHO classification, and 3·6 times higher with IOTF classification. Sensitivity to identify obesity was 70·5 %, specificity was 87·3 % and PPV was 26·2 % (WHO classification). Half of the parents of pre-schoolers with obesity failed to identify their child's weight status. Parental misperception among children classified as having overweight or obesity reached 93·0 and 58·8 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Parents underestimated children's height and weight, leading to an overestimation of the prevalence of obesity. Small inaccuracies in reported measures have an important effect for the estimation of population prevalences. Parents' report of child weight status is unreliable. Parental awareness and acknowledgement of child weight status should be improved.

Evolution of the incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus in the Community of Madrid, 1997-2016.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this article was to estimate the type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) incidence in the child population of the Community of Madrid (CM) and its evolution between 1997 and 2016, using the medical-administrative data of the regional registry of T1DM. METHODS: T1DM cases of children under 15 years of age, reported to the regional registry or collected from secondary sources were included: Spanish Diabetics Association (1997-2013), and from 2014 on the Basic Minimum Data Set (BMDS). Annual incidence rates were estimated per 100 000 person-years. The comparison of the rates was analysed using Poisson regression models using incidence ratios (IR). RESULTS: A total of 2658 cases were identified as new diagnoses of T1DM. The mean incidence rate for 1997-2013 was 13.7 cases per 100 000 person-years. In the 2014-2016 period, 20 cases per 100 000 persons-years were registered using the BMDS. The age group with the highest incidence was 10-14 years in the two periods (16.6 vs. 25.5). In boys, the age with the highest incidence was 10-14 years in both periods (17.9 vs 30.4), and in girls, the age of 5-9 years (17.0 vs 25.1). Incidence rates decreased slightly in both genders until 2013 (from 15.0 to 11.6). In 2014-2016, the annual incidence rate varied between 18.4 and 21.1 cases (IR: 1.77). The incidence remained stable in children under 5 years old and increased from 5 to 14 years old. CONCLUSIONS: The CM is among the regions with a high incidence of T1DM. In its first phase, the regional registry underestimated the incidence of T1DM, and with the incorporation of the MBDS as a source of information, the estimates for the second period (2014-2016) are possibly closer to the actual incidence of T1DM. The data presented suggests the need to know the real evolution of the incidence of the disease by incorporating computerised health records.

[Evolution of the incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus in the Community of Madrid, 1997-2016]. / Evolución de la incidencia de diabetes mellitus tipo 1 (0-14 años) en la Comunidad de Madrid, 1997-2016.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this article was to estimate the type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) incidence in the child population of the Community of Madrid (CM) and its evolution between 1997 and 2016, using the medical-administrative data of the regional registry of DM1. METHODS: DM1 cases of children under 15 years of age, reported to the regional registry or collected from secondary sources were included: Spanish Diabetics Association (1997-2013), and from 2014 on the Basic Minimum Data Set (BMDS). Annual incidence rates were estimated per 100 000 person-years. The comparison of the rates was analysed using Poisson regression models using incidence ratios (IR). RESULTS: A total of 2658 cases were identified as new diagnoses of DM1. The mean incidence rate for 1997-2013 was 13.7 cases per 100 000 person-years. In the 2014-2016 period, 20 cases per 100 000 persons-years were registered using the BMDS. The age group with the highest incidence was 10-14 years in the 2periods (16.6 vs. 25.5). In boys, the age with the highest incidence was 10 to 14 years in both periods (17.9 vs 30.4), and in girls, the age of 5 to 9 years (17.0 vs 25.1). Incidence rates decreased slightly in both genders until 2013 (from 15.0 to 11.6). In 2014-2016, the annual incidence rate varied between 18.4 and 21.1 cases (IR: 1.77). The incidence remained stable in children under 5 years old and increased from 5 to 14 years old. CONCLUSIONS: The CM is among the regions with a high incidence of DM1. In its first phase, the regional registry underestimated the incidence of DM1, and with the incorporation of the MBDS as a source of information, the estimates for the second period (2014-2016) are possibly closer to the actual incidence of DM1. The data presented suggests the need to know the real evolution of the incidence of the disease by incorporating computerised health records.

Demand for health services and drug prescriptions among overweight or obese preschool children.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between excess weight and the demand of health services in preschool children compared with healthy weight. METHODS: The data come from the Longitudinal Study of Childhood Obesity cohort (1884 4-year-old children, residing in the Madrid region, Spain) who provided information through telephone questionnaire, physical examination and electronic medical records. We defined overweight, general and abdominal obesity based on body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio. Using mixed models of multivariable negative binomial regression we calculated the incidence rate ratio (IRR) regarding primary care (PC) doctor visits, drug prescriptions and hospital admissions by weight status at the end of the 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: Childhood general obesity was associated with a higher demand for PC services related to psychological problems (IRR=1.53; 95% CI 1.02 to 2.28) and childhood abdominal obesity, according to waist-to-height ratio, was related to more frequent problems of the musculoskeletal system (IRR=1.27; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.62). Drugs were prescribed more frequently to children falling under all three definitions of excess weight, compared with healthy weight children. No differences in the number of hospital admissions were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The demand of health services related to early childhood obesity was small. Nevertheless, obesity was associated with a slightly greater demand for drug prescriptions and for PC doctor visits related to psychological and musculoskeletal problems.

Association between general and central adiposity and development of hypertension in early childhood.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association of general and abdominal obesity with high blood pressure in young children. METHODS: A longitudinal study including 1796 participants from the Madrid region (Spain) with baseline at age 4 years and a follow-up 2 years later. Blood pressure, body mass index and waist circumference were measured during a physical examination. We evaluated the association between obesity at baseline and weight changes between the ages of 4 and 6 years and high blood pressure. Data were analysed using linear and logistic regressions adjusted for covariates. RESULTS: Obese 4 year olds (general or abdominal obesity) experienced an average 4-5 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure and a 2.5-3 mmHg increase in diastolic blood pressure by the age of 6 years. Compared to children maintaining a non-excess weight (based on body mass index) during follow-up incident and persistent cases of excess weight (overweight or obesity) had an odds ratio (OR) for high blood pressure of 2.49 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50-4.13) and OR 2.54 (95% CI 1.27-5.07), respectively. Regarding abdominal obesity we estimated OR 2.81 (95% CI 0.98-8.02) for incident cases and OR 3.42 (95% CI 1.38-8.49) for persistent cases. Similar estimates for the waist-height ratio were observed. Individuals who experienced remission to non-excess weight did not have an increased risk of high blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: We observed an increased risk for high blood pressure among 4-year-olds who presented with persistent or incident cases of excess weight (body mass index) or abdominal obesity after 2 years of follow-up. Children with excess weight or obesity at baseline who remitted to non-excess weight did not exhibit an increased risk of high blood pressure.

[Prevalence of breastfeeding and factors associated with the start and duration of exclusive breastfeeding in the Community of Madrid among participants in the ELOIN]. / Prevalencia de la lactancia materna y factores asociados con el inicio y la duración de la lactancia materna exclusiva en la Comunidad de Madrid entre los participantes en el estudio ELOIN.

INTRODUCTION: Breastfeeding has important benefits for population health. The aims of this study are: (i)to determine the prevalence and duration of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding; (ii)analyse the reasons for not starting or abandoning of breastfeeding, and (iii)describe the factors associated with the initiation and duration of exclusive breastfeeding. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross sectional study using the baseline data of the ELOIN cohort, obtained using an epidemiological questionnaire. A sample of 2,627 children born in 2008-2009 from the Community of Madrid was studied. Logistic regression models were used. RESULTS: Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding was 77.6% and 88% respectively; prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at 6months 25.4%, and prevalence of breastfeeding at 2years was 7.7%. The most common reasons for abandoning breastfeeding were insufficient milk (36%), and incorporation to work (25.9%). The variables associated with starting or maintaining of exclusive breastfeeding were: mother older than 35years, medium-high economic status, foreigner residing in Spain less than 10 years, and having participated in a breastfeeding workshop. CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding prevalence in the Community of Madrid did not reach the international recommendations in 2008-2009. It is necessary to intensify strategies for breastfeeding promotion, protection, and support, including their periodic monitoring.

Persistence and Variation in Overweight and Obesity Among the Pre-school Population of the Community of Madrid After 2 Years of Follow-up. The ELOIN Cohort.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The childhood obesity epidemic is a worldwide public health problem which starts at very early ages. The aim of this study was to determine the persistence of and variation in overweight and obesity among a cohort of children followed up from 4 to 6 years of age. METHODS: The data were drawn from the ELOIN (Longitudinal Childhood Obesity Study), a population-based cohort in the Community of Madrid, Spain. A total of 2435 children were involved. Weight and height were objectively measured and standardised at 4 (2012-2013) and 6 years of age (2014-2015) by 31 purpose-trained pediatricians. Three reference criteria were used: the World Health Organization (WHO-2006), International Obesity Task Force (IOTF-2000), and Spanish tables of the Orbegozo Foundation 2004, were used to define "absence of excess weight", overweight and obesity. RESULTS: According to the above three classification criteria, between the ages of 4 and 6 years the prevalence of overweight increased from 5.7%-16.5% (range of the 3 criteria) to 8.9%-17.0%, and obesity increased from 3.0%-5.4% to 6.1%-10.1%. Three out of every 4 obese children at age 4 years persisted with obesity at age 6 years, whereas 20.6%-29.3% who were overweight became obese. A total of 8.0% to 16.1% of children maintained "excess weight" (overweight/obesity), 7.9% to 11% were new cases, and 2.2% to 5.9% showed remission. CONCLUSIONS: Excess weight increased between the ages of 4 and 6 years. Important variations were observed in weight status susceptible to intervention during well-child visits.

On the problem of type 2 diabetes-related mortality in the Canary Islands, Spain. The DARIOS Study.

AIMS: To compare diabetes-related mortality rates and factors associated with this disease in the Canary Islands compared with other 10 Spanish regions. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of 28,887 participants aged 35-74 years in Spain, data were obtained for diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and metabolic syndrome. Healthcare was measured as awareness, treatment and control of diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Standardized mortality rate ratios (SRR) were calculated for the years 1981 to 2011 in the same regions. RESULTS: Diabetes, obesity, and hypertension were more prevalent in people under the age of 64 in the Canary Islands than in Spain. For all ages, metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance (IR) were also more prevalent in those from the Canary Islands. Healthcare parameters were similar in those from the Canary Islands and the rest of Spain. Diabetes-related mortality in the Canary Islands was the highest in Spain since 1981; the maximum SRR was reached in 2011 in men (6.3 versus the region of Madrid; p<0.001) and women (9.5 versus Madrid; p<0.001). Excess mortality was prevalent from the age of 45 years and above. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes-related mortality is higher in the Canary Islands population than in any other Spanish region. The high mortality and prevalence of IR warrants investigation of the genetic background associated with a higher incidence and poor prognosis for diabetes in this population. The rise in SRR calls for a rapid public health policy response.

[Validity and concordance of electronic health records in primary care (AP-Madrid) for surveillance of diabetes mellitus. PREDIMERC study]. / Validez y concordancia de la historia clínica electrónica de atención primaria (AP-Madrid) en la vigilancia epidemiológica de la diabetes mellitus. Estudio PREDIMERC.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity and concordance of diabetes data in the electronic health records of primary care (Madrid-PC) by comparing with those from the PREDIMERC study. METHODS: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and kappa index of diabetes cases recorded in the health records of Madrid-PC were calculated by using data from PREDIMERC as the gold standard. The prevalence of diabetes was also determined according to each data source. RESULTS: The sensitivity of diabetes recorded in Madrid-PC was 74%, the specificity was 98.8%, the positive predictive value was 87.9%, the negative predictive value was 97.3%, and the kappa index was 0.78. The prevalence of diabetes recorded in Madrid-PC was 6.7% versus 8.1% by PREDIMERC, where known diabetes was 6.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The electronic health records of primary care are a valid source for epidemiological surveillance of diabetes in Madrid.

Metabolic syndrome in Spain: prevalence and coronary risk associated with harmonized definition and WHO proposal. DARIOS study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To update the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and associated coronary risk in Spain, using the harmonized definition and the new World Health Organization proposal (metabolic premorbid syndrome), which excludes diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Individual data pooled analysis study of 24,670 individuals from 10 autonomous communities aged 35 to 74 years. Coronary risk was estimated using the REGICOR function. RESULTS: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 31% (women 29% [95% confidence interval, 25%-33%], men 32% [95% confidence interval, 29%-35%]). High blood glucose (P=.019) and triglycerides (P<.001) were more frequent in men with metabolic syndrome, but abdominal obesity (P<.001) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=.001) predominated in women. Individuals with metabolic syndrome showed moderate coronary risk (8% men, 5% women), although values were higher (P<.001) than in the population without the syndrome (4% men, 2% women). Women and men with metabolic syndrome had 2.5 and 2 times higher levels of coronary risk, respectively (P<.001). Prevalence of metabolic premorbid syndrome was 24% and the increase in coronary risk was also proportionately larger in women than in men (2 vs 1.5, respectively; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome is 31%; metabolic premorbid syndrome lowers this prevalence to 24% and delimits the population for primary prevention. The increase in coronary risk is proportionally larger in women, in both metabolic syndrome and metabolic premorbid syndrome.

[Prevalence, degree of control and treatment of hypertension in the adult population of Madrid, Spain]. / Prevalencia, grado de control y tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial en la población de 30 a 74 años de la Comunidad de Madrid: Estudio PREDIMERC.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension (HT) is a major modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. The objective of this study is to estimate the adult population of the Community of Madrid (30-74 years) prevalence of hypertension, knowledge, degree of control and drug treatment. METHODS: We studied a random sample population in 2007 among residents of Madrid Community of between 30 and 74 years, obtained by cluster sampling. An epidemiological questionnaire was applied through telephone interview. Physical examination was conducted by a team of trained nurses in the health center. To assess control of hypertension by number of active ingredients odds were calculated through logistic regression models. RESULTS: The final sample included 1,085 men and 1,183 women with a mean age of 48.3 years. The prevalence of hypertension was 29.3% (35.1% men and 23.9% in women (p<0.01). Of the 665 hypertensives identified 68.6% knew their condition (62.4 76.65% in males and females, p<0.05), of which 54% were in drug treatment (45.4% in men and 64.5% in women, p<0.05). Of the 265 treated hypertensive patients, blood pressure was controlled in 33% of males and 49% of women, p<0.05. Patients treated with two or more active improves your control (aOR: 1, 89). CONCLUSIONS: Our data on prevalence, treatment and control are at the lower-intermediate between those reported in previous studies on Spanish and European populations. However, the HA is a public health problem in the CM. Many hypertensive patients are not detected. Of those detected, only 1 in 3 of men and 1 in 2 women are well controlled.

[Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk factors in the adult population of the autonomous region of Madrid (Spain): the PREDIMERC study]. / Prevalencia de diabetes mellitus y factores de riesgo cardiovascular en la población adulta de la Comunidad de Madrid: estudio PREDIMERC.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of diabetes and major cardiovascular risk factors in the adult population of the autonomous region of Madrid (Spain). MATERIAL AND METHOD: A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in 2007. A random sample of the population aged 30-74 years old was selected. A fixed sample size per age stratum was assigned, weighted by the real age-specific distribution of the population of the autonomous region of Madrid. An epidemiological survey was conducted by telephone. Subsequently, physical examination was performed and a fasting blood sample was taken in the health center for glucose, cholesterol and lipid fraction determinations. RESULTS: We included 2268 people with a mean age of 48.3 years old (52% women). The response rate was 56.4%. Diabetes was found in 8.1% (95%CI: 7.0-8.9) of the adult population and impaired fasting glucose was found in 5.9% (95%CI: 4.8-6.1). The prevalence of risk factors was as follows: hypertension in 29.3% (95%CI: 27.3-31.5), hypercholesterolemia in 23.3% (95%CI: 21.8-26.1), overweight grade II in 22.8% (20.8-25.0), obesity in 21.7% (95%CI: 19.8-23.6), and central obesity in 23.9% (95%CI: 21.8-26.1). A total of 85.5% (95%CI: 83.1-87.1) were sedentary in their leisure time and 28.4% (95%CI: 26.3-30.3) were smokers. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of diabetes in the autonomous region of Madrid is intermediate in relation to other regions of Spain. Cardiovascular risk factors are highly prevalent, and are higher in men than in women. Overweight and obesity, affecting 4.5 out of every 10 adults, should be considered a priority for health interventions in cardiovascular disease prevention.